
ABBATH: 





X5/5 

BRIEF HISTORY 

OF 

LAWS, PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES AND REPORTS, 

WITH 

FACTS AND ARGUMENTS, 

RELATING TO THE 

CHRISTIAN SABBATH. 



I 



HARMON KINGSBURY. 



die'hf Ms hi?nnlv''.^Sf h^ ^m'^T tj^.^^i^ked from his way, that wicked man shall 
aie m Mis miquity ; but his blood will I require at thy hand."— Eze. xxxiii. 

" The profanation of the Sabbath is an offence against God and Religion."- 

Blackstone. 



^flp 



NEW YORK: 

ROBERT CARTER, No. 58 CANAL STREET. 

1840. 









The net avails of this work are devoted to the cause of the Sabbath. 



j'"^ i f%. ^ .^^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by 

ROBERT CARTER, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. 






S. W. BENEDICT, PRINTER, 128 FULTON STREET. 



1 



PREFACE 



The following pages contain a brief history of laws, petitions, 
remonstrances, and reports, and some of the published articles 
of the author, relating to the desecration and sanctification of the 
Christian Sabbath. 

The occasions on which his own essays appeared were vari- 
ous. Sometimes the object was to meet particular objections, 
urged by others ; sometimes to awaken the church to her re- 
sponsibilities in this matter; sometimes to warn of danger; at 
others to record a fact, to recommend a plan, or to awaken sym- 
pathy in the great cause. 

As the articles were not written for a book, but for particular 
emergencies, they will be found often more practical than argu- 
mentative. The great design was to unfold the means of re- 
storing the Sabbath to its pristine purity, and to incite to vigor- 
ous efforts to accomplish speedily this very desirable object — to 
excite the friends of Sabbath reform to correct, systematic, cor- 
dial, united, and persevering action ; and, as far as possible, by 
presenting facts and arguments, to harmonize their views in 
regard to the time and manner of observing the day of Rest. 

When the reader remembers that the matter was prepared on 
different occasions, at different times, and in different places, he 
will not be surprised to find the same shade of thought occurring 
more than once. 



IV PREFACE. 

Modem infidels, in this country and in Europe, have exhaust- 
ed their resources in fruitless attempts to prove that the Sahhath 
was not made for man — for all mankind. It is not chiefly for 
this class, however, that this book is published, but for those who 
may be misled by their influence and their sophistry, who yet 
are willing to learn and to do their duty. 

Had Newton, or Bacon, penetrated the lonely cell of Caspar 
Hauser, and labored to convince him that he had seen the bright 
luminary of day, the arguments would have been unavailing, as 
long as the wretched inmate of the prison had neither the incli- 
nation to hear, nor the knowledge necessary to understand and 
believe. So it is with infidels on this subject. Their eyes are 
closed against the light, their ears deaf to argument, and their 
consciences callous to conviction. They hear to scofl", read to 
reject, talk to difier, cavil to confound, and ward off" to disbelieve. 
With such, is it not best and sufficient to take the law of the 
Sabbath, recorded in Ex. xx., and call on them to obey, consid- 
ering it settled that this merciful and moral institution was 
established in Eden, and is necessary for all men, in every age 
of the world, and obligatory on them ? The divine authority 
of the Scriptures is before them, urged by all the motives of 
self-interest, humanity, patriotism and gratitude ; and if they 
continue to reject, they do it at their peril. 

The opinions of others have often been introduced, in order to 
increase the weight and influence of the work : and although 
the subject is prolonged, it is presumed to be sufficiently diver- 
sified to secure the attention of those who care for the Sabbath. 

That the Lord of the Sabbath may, by this humble effort, 
greatly promote the observance of His day, is the sincere prayer 
of the AUTHOR. 

Cleveland^ Ohio, 1840. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 



History of Laws, Divine and Human, relating to the 



Sabbath, 


. 


. 


13 


Law of God, . 


. 


. 


13 


Laws of the States and Territories, 


, 


. 14-22 


Maine, 


Maryland, 


Arkansas, 




New Hampshire, 


Virginia, 


Tennessee, 




Vermont, 


District of Columbia, 


Kentucky, 




Massachusetts, 


North Carolina, 


Missouri, 




Rhode Island, 


South Carolina, 


IlUnois, 




Connecticut, 


Georgia, 


Indiana, 




New York, 


Florida, 


Ohio, 




New Jersey, 


Alabama, 


Michigan. 




Pennsylvania, 


Mississippi, 






Delaware, 


Louisiana, 






Laws of Congress, 


CHAPTER II. 




22 



Petitions and Remonstrances against Sunday Mails, ac' 

companied with Committees'' Reports, 4*c., , , 24-71 

Citizens'of Philadelphia and New- Synod of Pittsburgh, 



York. 

Gideon Granger's Report. 

James P. Wilson and others, Phi- 
ladelphia. 

2# 



Messrs. Rhea, Return J. Meigs, 
Daggett, Mills, Meigs, McKean, 
McLean, Barry, and McCreery^s 
Reports and Communications, 



VI 



CONTENTS. 



Citizens of Newark, N. J. 

North Carolina, 

Co. of Williamson and 
others, 

Philadelphia, 

Kentucky, 

Alexandria, D. C. 

Augusta, Me. 

Boston, Mass. 

Leroy, N. York, 

Columbia Co., Ga, 

Greensburgh, Pa. 

Rockingham Co., N.C. 
Wm. E. C banning and others, 

Boston, 
Citizens of Albion, Me. 

Rowan Co., N. C. 

Trenton, N. J. 

City of New York, 

Salem, Mass. 

Spartanburgh District, 
S. C. 

Rockbridge Co., Va. 

Hanover Co., Va. 

Westmoreland Co., 
Va. 

Newbury port, Mass. 

Washington Co., Pa. 

Rensselaer Co., N. Y. 

St. Lawrence Co., N. 
York, 

Boston, Mass. 

Philadelphia, 

Bedford Co., Ten. 
J. Cotton Smith and others^ Conn. 
Citizens of Washington Co., Pa. 

Bedford, N. Y. 
** Boston, Mass. 

« Bedford Co., Ten. 

Fail-field District, S.C. 
Postmaster, Otterbridge, Va. 



Wm. £. Channing and others, 
Boston, Mass. 
Citizens of Boston, Mass. 
'' Perry Co., Ohio, 

*' Atwater, Ohio, 

Ira David, P. M., Vt. 
Citizens of Huntington Co., Pa. 
" Lisbon, Conn. 

•' Greensburgh, Pa. 

" Northumberland Co., 

Pa. 
" City of New York, 

^' City of Philadelphia, 

" City of Baltimore, 

" Washington Co,, Md. 

" City of Boston, 

*' Boonsborough, Md. 

" Stockbridge and oth- 

ers, Mass. 
'* Elizabethtown, N. J. 

" Spotsylvania Co., Va. 

James M. Garnett and others, Va. 
Citizens of Accomac Co., Va. 
" Edinburgh, Ohio, 

City of New York, 
*' City of Boston, 

Grand Jury, Washington Co., Pa. 
Citizens of Sharon, Conn. 

" State of New York, 

'* City of Boston, 

** Washington Co., Pa. 

" Washington Co., Ala. 

Talfair Co., Ga. 
** C olio way Co., Ky. 

" Washington Co., Ky. 

Elkton, Ky. 
Mt.TirzahP.O.,N.C. 
" Kent Island, Md. 

Merchants of Baltimore, 
Citizens of Washington Co., Md. 
Trenton, N. J. 



CONTENTS. 



VII 



Citizens of Chester District, S. C. 
^* Spartanburgh District, 

S.C. 
Blairsville, S. C. 
Augustus Fitzhugh, Va. 
Citizens of Norfolk, Conn. 

City of New York, 
" Ryegate, Vt. 

*' Westmoreland Co., Pa. 

Merchants of Baltimore, 
Citizens of Caroline Co., Md. 



Citizens of Trenton, N.J. 
*' Coshocton, Ohio, 

" Bridge Hampton, L. I. 

" Strasburg, Pa. 

Chester Co., Pa. 
" Agnew's Mills, Pa. 

" Windsor, Conn. 

*^ Philadelphia, 

'' Atwater, Ohio, 

Elkton, Ky. 
Committee of Nashville, Ten. 



Character and objects of these memorialists, . . . 71-73 
Memorials and petitions in favor of Sunday Mails, . 73-76 
From Portsmouth, N. H. From Gen. Assembly, Ala. 

'' Newark, N. J. '' Kentucky, 

*^ Philadelphia, Pa. " Gen. Assembly, 111. 

" Gen. Assembly, la. '* Windham Co., Vt. 

" Salem Co., N. Y. 

Harmon Kingsbury against Sunday Mails, . . 76-133 

(Contents of his petition and Appendix.) 



Extract from McKean's Report, 

Law to be repealed. 

Pious Members, 

Laws, 

Acts repealed, 

Appendix, . . . 91 

Petitions in 1828-9. 

To the Forwarders on the Erie 

Canal, 
Opinions of Public bodies^ 95-99 
American Bethel Society, 
Gen. Assembly Presbyt. Church, 
Baptist Convention, Ohio, 
Cleveland Presbytery, 
Citizens of Cleveland, 

'' Lorain Co., Ohio, 
Opinions of Editors^ . 99-108 
Ohio Atlas, 
Cleveland Observer, 
Connecticut Observer, 



Auburn Banner, 
Presbyterian, 
Z ion's Watchman, 
Western Christian Advocate, 
Michigan Observer, j 
Gambler Observer, 
Chris. Ad. and Journal, 
Legislative action in New 

York, . . . 108-113 
Unconstitutionality of the Law, 113 
Instructions to Delegates in 

1776, .... 114 
North Carolina, 
Rhode Island, 
Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, 
Connecticut, 
New Hampshire, 
New Jersey, 
Maryland, 



CONTENTS. 



South Carolina, 




Powers not delegated, . 121 


Legislation of Congress^ 


116 


This is a Christian nation, 121 


Michigan, 




Establishment of Religion, 122 


Bill of Rights, 


. 117 


Bishop Mcllvaine's Sermon, 123 


Florida, 




Mr. Justice Story, . . 124 


Arkansas, 




Supreme Court of Mass. 128 


District of Columbia, 




Chancellor Kent, . . 129 


Powers of Congress^ 


. 119 


Supreme Court of Pa. 130 


Postoffices, 




Practice of Congress, . 132 


Powers of the Supreme Court, 121 


Law unjust, . . . 133 


Powers when in States, , 


121 




Executive Committee of the American Bethel Society^ 134-136 


Congressional Sessions 


on Sunday, . . 136-142 


Rev. E. F. Hatfield, 






Governor Ellsworth, 


, 


142 


History oj Sabbath Union, 


143-146 




CHAPTER ni. 



Expediency of fearless and united effort, . . 147-153 

Peter, Wilberforce, Beecher, 

Luther, Kitteridge, London Sabbath Protection Societj^ 



CHAPTER IV. 
Necessity for the Sabbath, .... 154-161 

CHAPTER V. 

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 

Obj, 1. — " There is no authority for the Sabbath,^^ . 162-169 

Fourth Commandm't, Old Testament, Job, 

Christ, Homer, Rabbins, 

Weeks, Hesiod, Lampridius, 

Mrs. Summerville, Grotius, Alexander Severus, 

Mr. Buckingham, Mannasseh Ben Israel, Calmet, 

President Goguet, Cain and Abel, Porphyry, 



CONTENTS. 



Philo, 
Josephus, 



Rev. E. Johns, 
Asiatic Journal, 



Easterns, 

Jewett's Nootka Sound. 



Ohj. 2. — " This authority binds only the Jews,'''* . . 170-184 

Consequences to the Gentiles, Proof from the Bible. 

if they have no Sabbath. Sabbath not mentioned. 

Man's relations and obligations. President Dwight. 

Olj, 3. — " The Moral Law, or Ten Commandments, has 

been ahro gated,"" . . . 184-192 



Ohj, 4. — " The New Testament does not require a Sab- 
hath,'' 192-206 

President Humphrey, 

Barnes' Notes, 

President Dwight, 

President Humphrey, 

Rev. Mr. Doolittle, 

Practice of the Apostles, 

Ceremonial Sabbaths and Festi. Feast of Sabbaths, 

vals, . . . 203-206 Feast of Jubilee, 

Weekly Sabbath, Sabbaths and New Moons, 

New Moons, Holy Day. 



Passover, 

Pentecost, 

Feast of Tabernacles, 

Feast of Trumpets, 

Atonement, 

Feast of Purim, 



Obj, 5. — " There is no evidence that the day was chang- 
ed;' 



206-225 



Constantine, 

Apostles, 

Eusebius, 

Dr. Cave, 

Emperor Leo, 

Charlemagne, 

Emperor Leo, 

Justin Martyr, 

Luther, 

Calvin, 

Paley, 

Priestly, 

Gurney, 

Professor Stuart, 



Pliny, 

Theophilus, 

Irenseus, 

Dionysius, 

Tertullian, 

Origen, 

Cyprian, 

Eusebius, 

Professor Stuart, 

Athanasius, 

Chrysostom, 

Augustine, 

Ambrose, 

Epiphanius, 



Theodosius, 

Lord Mansfield, 

Carolus, 

Ludovicus, 

Gratian, 

Wm. the Conqueror, 

Henry Second, 

Mosheim, 

McLain, 

Henry, 

Dr. Brownlee, 

Selden. 



X CONTENTS. 

Ohj. 6.—" DeuU V. opposed to Ex, xx." . . 225-228 

Ohj. 7. — This nation acknowledges no religion^"^ . 229-244 

Religion recognized by the Thanksgivings, 

C onstitution, C haplains, 

Fasts, State Laws. 

Ohj, 8. — " Works of Public Utility may he done on Sun- 
day,'' 244-247 

A supposed case. 

Ohj. 9. — " Greece and Rome as prosperous without as 

ivith religion,'' , , . 247-253 

Traditionary knowledge, .... 249 

Rev. l. Montieth. 

Ohj, 10. — " The Quakers are as moral without as with 

a Sahhath," . , . . 253 

Ohj, 11. — " Literature is sufficient to secure morality," 2o^-2bl 
Dr. Brownlee. 

Ohj, 12. — " Special Judgments are not inflicted for na- 
tional sins," .... 257-262 
National, Individual. 

Ohj, 13. — " Christians wish to unite Church and State," 262-266 
Hermon Norton. 

Ohj, 14. — " The framers of our Government were scep- 
tical," .... 266-278 

Washington, Franklin, his epitaph, his letter to Paine, William A. 
Hallock. 

Ohj. 1 5. — " Such sentiments will provoke persecution," 278 

Address to Females, ..... 279 

Laboring poor, ...... 281 

Sabbath-breaking parents, ..... 282 

Closing appeal, ..... 283-287 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Appeal in behalf of the Sahhath^ 

Ministers of the Gospel, 

National Legislature, 

Judicial proceedings, 

Private Christians, 

Churches, 

Philanthropists, 

Husbands, Fathers, and Brothers, 

Wives, Daughters, and Sisters, 

National Legislature, 

State Legislature, 



. 288-320 

Friends of liberty and of free insti- 
tutions. 

Friends of good order. 

Business men, merchants, &c.. 

The poor laborer, 

The great Valley, 

Plan of operations, . 320 

Resolutions suitable to be 
adopted, . . .320 



CHAPTER Vn. 



Address to Business Men, 

Word of God, 

Labor forbidden on the Sabbath, 
Evils threatened and inflicted. 
Sabbath-breaking prevents bless- 
ing. 
Manna, 
Facts. 

Physical Powers, . 333 

Sir Mathew Hale, 
A business man, 
A gentleman of New York, 
Dr. Spurzheim, 
Mr. Schoolcraft, 
West Indies, 
Journeymen Bakers, 
Mr. Vyse, Birmingham, Eng. 
Lord Bishop of Chester, 
Rev. J. W. Cunningham, 
Mr. Thomas George, 
Mr. William McKechney. 



. 324-351 

Intellectual Powers^ . 337 

Dr. Richard Farre, 

Dr. Rush, 

Marquis of Londonderry, 

Wilberforce. 

Moral Powers^ . . 340 

Blackstone, 

State Prisons, 

Rev. David Buel, 

Mr. John Wontner, 

Mr. Benjamin Baker, 

Individual experience, 

How with Nations, 

Spain, 

France, 

England, 

Scotland and Wales, 

Our Forefathers, 

What if the Sabbath were blotted 

out. 
Danger to be apprehended. 



XU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Review of General Assemlly^s Report^ . . 352-373 

Committee's Report, Reasons mentioned, 

Church in the way. Editors. 

Ministerial Exchanges, ..... 373 

Who are Sabbaih-breakerSj ..... 377 



CHAPTER IX. 

Address to Christians, Patriots, and Philanthropists, 379-391 
Cause and effect, Human Laws, 

Sabbath-breaking makes infidels, Men of the East, awake, 
The only remedy, Public Calamities. 



THE SABBATH. 



CHAPTER I. 

HISTORY OF LAWS, DIVINE AND HUMAN, RELATING 
TO THE SABBATH. 



LAW OF GOD. 

The first law on record relating to this institution, was writ- 
ten on tables of stone, by the finger of God, more than three 
thousand years ago. No document anterior to this, that we 
know of, was ever written and handed down to men. It is in 
these words, viz : — 

" Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
thou labor, and do all thy work ; but the seventh day is the 
Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt not do any work, 
thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy 
maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, 
and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; wherefore 
the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." — Ex. 20. 

This law now stands, ever has stood, and always must stand, 
unrepealed. It is over and above all law, binding on all men 
through all time ; and its claims are imperative. See Wilson, 
D wight, Humphrey, Professor Agnew, Gurney, and others who 
have written on this subject ; — also evidences and opinions here- 
after recorded in this book. 
2 



14 THE SABBATH. 

LAWS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. 

It has proved a difficult task to obtain copies of all the latest 
enactments of the several States and Territories of these United 
States relatmg to the Sabbath ; but though we may have failed 
to obtain them all, yet enough has been found to show that cor- 
rect legislative action has once been had. It is painful, how- 
ever, to say, that in some instances, the people have been re- 
ceding from the high and righteous stand which they had taken. 
Acts of a different character from those which follow, and of a 
more recent date, may have been passed in some portions of our 
country, but the latest which we have seen will now be sub- 
joined. 

MATN'E. 

In this State, traveling, ordinary labor, and business are pro- 
hibited on the Lord's day. Passed, 1834. 

XEW HA3IPSHIRE. 

" Sec. 1st. Be it enacted ly'' &c. " That no tradesman, arti- 
ficer, or any other person whatsoever, shall do or exercise any 
labor, business or work of their secular callings, (works of ne- 
cessity and mercy only excepted,) * =^ on the first day of the 
week, commonly called the Lord's day, or any part thereof 

" Sec, 2d. And he it further enacted, That no person shall 
travel on the Lord's day between sun-rising and sun-setting, 
unless from necessit}^, or to attend public worship, visit the sick 
or do some office of charity, on penalty of," &c. Passed, 1799. 

June 22, 1814, the Legislature, commenting on the second 
section, say, " That no license from a Justice of the Peace, for 
traveling on Sunday, will avail in behalf of any traveler, or car- 
rier, with any team or carriage of burthen, or of any traveler in 
the st}^le and capacity of a drover, with any horses, cattle, or 
other beasts: but all such license shall be utterly void." 

In most of the States, aU games, pastimes, amusements, re- 
creations, sports, fishing, hunting and visiting are forbidden. 
Also the frequenting of places of public resort, except for moral 
and religious instruction, is prohibited. 



LAWS OF THE STATES. 15 



VERMONT. 



^^ A71 act to enforce the due observance of the Sabbath. 

^* Considering that in every community, some portion of time 
ought to be set apart for relaxation from worldly labors and em- 
ployments, and devoted to the social worship of Almighty God, 
and the attainment of religious and moral instruction, which 
are, in the highest degree, promotive of the peace, happiness 
and prosperity of the people. Therefore, 

" Sec> 1st. It is hereby enacted by,^^ &c. " That the first day of 
the week shall be kept and observed, by the good people of this 
State, as a Sabbath, holy day, or day of rest from secular labors 
and employments ; nor shall any person or persons [on that day] 
exercise any secular labor, business, or employm€nt, except such 
as necessity and acts of charity shall require." Passed, 1797. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

" Sec. 1st. No person shall keep open his shop, warehouse, or 
workhouse, or shall do any manner of labor, business, or work, 
(except only works of necessity and charity,)" on the Lord's day. 

" Sec. 2d. No person shall travel on" that day, " except from 
necessity or charity." Passed, 1791—1796. 

RHODE ISLAND. 

">Sec. 1st. Be it enacted by^'' &c. " That no person in this 
State shall do or exercise any labor, or business, or work of his 
ordinary calling," &c., " on the first day of the week, or suffer 
the same to be done by his children, servants or apprentices 
(works of necessity and charity only excepted)." Passed, 1679, 
1750, 1784, 1798. 

Sec. 2d forbids the employment of others to commit the afore- 
said offences. 

CONNECTICUT. 

Sec. 2d provides, " That no person shall, upon land or water, 
do any manner of secular business, work, or labor, (works of ne- 
cessity and mercy excepted,)" on the Lord's day. 

" Sec. 3d. No traveler, drover, wagoner, teamster, or any of 



16 THE SABBATH. 

their servants shall travel on the Lord's day, (except from ne- 
cessity and charity.)" Passed, 1808. 

In the revision of the laws of this State, 1821, Sec. 1st, we 
read, " Nor shall any traveler, drover, wagoner, or teamster 
travel on said day, except from necessity and charity ;" and " it 
shall be the duty of the citizens of this State to attend the pub- 
lic worship of God, on the Lord's day ; and that no person or 
persons shall do any secular business, work, or labor, [on that 
day] (works of necessity and mercy excepted.)" 

But since Sunday mails have been established, the duty of 
certain citizens seems to be entirely disregarded ; as may be 
seen in the compilation of laws ordered by the General Assem- 
bly of this State, in 1835^ Sec. 7th. " No proprietor or proprie- 
tors, or driver of any coach, wagon^ or sleigh, or other carriage, 
belonging to, or employed in any line of stages, or extra car- 
riage ; or proprietor or driver of any hackney coach, coachee, or 
chaise, sleigh, or other pleasure carriage, shall suffer or allow 
any person or persons to travel, except from necessity or charity, 
in such carriage on the Lord's day, on penalty of twenty dol- 
lars for every offence : Provided, that this act shall not extend 
to the owners or drivers of carriages employed for carrying the 
United States' mail through this State on the Lord's day." 

What would the inhabitants of this State, from its earliest 
settlement down to 1810, have thought of such an exception? 
The bare suggesting of it would have called down upon its 
author the pity and indignation of ninety-nine-hundredths of all 
who then lived in the land of the Pilgrims. Once the good 
people of this State would not wink at the sin she now cher- 
ishes in her bosom. And who among her sons has inquired, 
why do ye so ? 

NEW YORK. 

" Sec. 1st. Be it enacted hy^'' &c. " That there shall be no 
traveling, servile laboring, or working, (works of necessity and 
charity excepted,) ^~ * or any unlawful exercises or pastimes 
by any person or persons within this State, on the first day of 
the week, commonly called Sunday." Passed, 1813. 

Provision is made for those who uniformly keep the last day 



LAWS OF THE STATES. 17 

of the week as a Sabbath ; as is also the case in many of the 
other States ; and for any person removing his family or house- 
hold furniture, if such removal be not commenced on such day. 
But we find no provision for the Postmaster who changes and 
delivers the mail on that day. 

NEW JERSEY. 

" Sec. 1st, Be it enacted ly^'' &c. " That no traveling, worldly 
employment or business, ordinary or servile labor or work, either 
upon land or water, (works of necessity and charity excepted,) 
^ * shall be done or performed by any person or persons within 
this State, on the Christian Sabbath, or first day of the week, 
commonly called Sunday." Passed, 1798. 

No stages are allowed to be driven through this State on said 
day, except such as have the mail, and in cases of "necessity or 
mercy" clearly proved: and no wagoner, carter, drayman, 
drover, butcher, or any of his or their servants, shall ply, or 
travel with his or their wagons, carts or drays, or shall load or 
unload any goods, wares, or merchandise, or produce, or drive 
cattle, sheep, or swine, in any part of this State, on the first day 
of the week." 

In this and the two immediately preceding States, provision 
is made for the carrying of mails on the Lord's day, and in this 
State for the Postmaster to labor on Sunday. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

" Sec, \st. If any person shall do or perform any worldly em- 
ployment whatsoever on the Lord's day, commonly called Sun- 
day, (works of necessity and charity only excepted,)" &c. ; then 
follows the penalty. Passed, 1794. 

DELAWARE. 

" Sec, \8t. Be it enacted ly^'^ &c. " That if any person or per- 
sons within this State, ^ ^ shall do or perform any worldly 
employment, labor, or business whatsoever, upon the Lord's 
day, commonly called Sunday, (works of necessity and charity 
only excepted,)" &c. ; then comes the penalty. 

" Sec, 2d, And he it further enacted^ That if any carrier, ped 
2* 



18 THE SABBATH. 

dler, wagoner, or any driver of a traveling stage, wagon, or 
coachee, carter, butcher, or drover, with his horse, pack, wagon, 
stage, coachee, cart, or drove, shall travel or drive upon the 
Lord's day," &c. ; then comes the penalty. Passed, 1795. 

MARYLAND. 

" No person whatsoever shall work or do any bodily labor on 
the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday ; and no person having 
children, servants, or slaves, shall command, or wittingly or wil- 
lingly suffer any of them to do any manner of work or labor on 
the Lord's day, (works of necessity and charity always except- 
ed.)" Passed, 1723. 

VIRGINIA. 

" Sec. 5th. If any person, on the Sabbath day, shall himself 
be found laboring at his own, or any other trade or calling, or 
shall employ his apprentices, servants, or slaves, in labor, or 
other business, except it be in the ordinary household offices of 
daily necessity, or other works of necessity or charity ;" then 
comes the penalty. Passed, 1792. 

DISTRICT OF COLUIMBIA. 

The same as in Maryland and Virginia. 

NORTH CAROLINA. 

*^ An act for the more effectual suppression of vice and immo- 
rality. 
" Sec. 1st. Be it enacted hy^^'' &c. " That all and every per- 
son or persons whatsoever shall, on the Lord's day, commonly 
called Sunday, carefully apply themselves to the duties of re- 
ligion and piety; and that no tradesman, artificer, planter, 
laborer, or other person whatsoever, shall, upon land or water, 
do or exercise any labor, business, or work of their ordinary 
calling (works of necessity and charity only excepted,) on the 
Lord's day, or any part thereof," &c. 

SOUTH CAROLINA. 

" Whereas there is nothing more acceptable to God than the 



LAWS OF THE STATES. 19 

true and sincere service and worship of him, according to his 
holy will, and that the holy keeping of the Lord's day is a prin- 
cipal part of the true service of God, which in many places of 
this province is so much profaned and neglected by disorderly 
persons ; — 1st, Be it therefore enacted,'''' &c. " That all and 
every person whatsoever, shall, on every Lord's day, apply 
themselves to the observation of the same, by exercising them- 
selves thereon in the duties of piety and true religion, publicly 
and privately ; and having no reasonable or lawful excuse, on 
every Lord's day shall resort to their parish church, or some 
other parish church, or some meeting, or assembly of religious 
worship," &c. 

Sec, 2d forbids the worldly labor, business or work of all 
" tradesmen, artificers, workmen, laborer, or any other person, [on 
the Lord's day,] (works of necessity and charity only excepted.)" 

Sec. Uh enjoins, "That no drover, wagoner, butcher, higler, 
they or any of their servants, or any other traveler or person 
whatsoever, shall travel on the Lord's day by land or water," 
except to and from a place of religious worship, and to visit 
the sick, &c. 

Sec, 8th prohibi ts the working of slaves or servants on Sun- 
day. Passed, 1712. 

GEORGIA. 

The preamble is nearly verbatim as the last above written. 

Sec. 1st requires all persons to attend public worship. 

Sec. 2d forbids, in language similar to the above, all labor 
" (except works of necessity and charity,)" on the Lord's day. 
Traveling and the working of slaves are also prohibited on that 
day. Passed, 1803. 

FLORIDA. 

Apprentices, servants, or slaves, are not allowed to labor or 
be employed in business on Sunday, " (works of necessity and 
charity excepted.)" Passed, 1828. 



20 THE SABBATHo 



ALABA2VIA. 



" Sec. \st. No worldly business or employment, ordinary or 
servile work, (works of necessity and charity excepted,) ^ ^ 
shall be done or performed by any person or persons within this 
territory on the Christian Sabbath," &c. 

" Sec, 2d, No wagoner, carter, drayman, drover, butcher, or 
any of his slaves or servants, shall ply or travel" ^ ^ load or 
unload, or drive cattle in any part of this territory on Sunday. 
Passed, 1803. 

MISSISSIPPI. 

Sec. 2d enjoins, " That no wagoner, carter, drayman, drover, 
butcher, or any of his slaves or servants, shall ply or travel with 
his wagon, cart, or dray," load or unload, or drive cattle, sheep, 
or swine, &c., on Sunday. 

Sec. Uh. All labor, by any person, either free or bond, " (ex- 
cept works of necessity or charity,)" is forbidden in this State 
on Sunday. Passed, 1822. 

LOUISIANA. 

No law has been found in regard to the observance of the 
Sabbath in this State. 

ARKANSAS. 

" Resolved^ by the General Assembly of the Territory of Ar- 
kansas, That the several justices of the peace, and other civil 
officers of this territory, in their respective districts, be request- 
ed to take special notice of and bring to justice, all offenders of 
the laws of this territory providing for keeping holy the Sab- 
bath day." 

The laws prohibiting Sabbath desecration referred to have 
not been found, but the above is evidence that such do exist. 

TENNESSEE. 

" Sec. 1st. Be it enacted,^^ &c. " That if any merchant, arti- 
ficer, tradesman, farmer, or any other person, shall be guilty of 



LAWS OF THE STATES. 21 

exercising any of the common avocations of life, or of causing 
or permitting the same to be done by his, her or their children 
or servants, (acts of real necessity or charity excepted,) on the 
Lord's day," &c. ; then comes the penalty. 

*' Sec. 2d. All and every person or persons whatsoever, shall, 
on the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday, carefully apply 
themselves to the duties of religion and piety," and all labor on 
land or water, " (except works of necessity and charity,)" is 
prohibited on that day. Passed, 1803* 

KENTUCKY, 

" Sec. 36th. If any person, on the Sabbath day, shall himself 
be found laboring at his own or any other trade or calling, or 
shall employ his apprentices, servants, or slaves, in labor or 
other business, whether the same be for profit or amusement, 
(and no work or business shall be done or performed on the 
Sabbath day, unless it be the ordinary household offices of daily 
necessity, or other works of necessity or charity,) he shall for- 
feit," &c. Passed, 1822. 

MISSOURI. 

Sec. 28th prohibits all labor on the first day of the week, 
" except works of necessity and charity ;)" nor are Courts per- 
mitted to sit on Sunday, except to receive a verdict or discharge 
a jury ; — ^neither are they allowed to adjourn to that day. Ap- 
proved, 1835. 

ILLINOIS. 

Sec. 1st prohibits disturbing the peace and good order of so- 
ciet)^ by labor or amusement on the Lord's day. 

Sec. 2d prohibits noise and amusement, calculated to disturb 
the peace on that day. Passed, 1827. 

Would not stage and boat horns, and the rumbling of carriages 
on Sunday, be a breach of this law ? 

INDIANA. 

Sec. 1st prohibits work at common labor on Sunday. Passed, 
1817. 



22 THE SABBATH. 

OHIO. 

" Sec. 1st. Be it enacted'''' &c. " That if any person of the 
age of fourteen years and upwards, shall be found on the first 
day of the week, commonly called Sunday, sporting, rioting, 
quarreling, hunting, fishing, shooting, or at common labor, 
(works of necessity and charity only excepted)" — then follows 
the penalty ; and exceptions for those who keep the seventh day 
as a Sabbath, — those who are emigrating with their families, — 
watermen who wish to land their passengers ; superintendents, 
or keepers of toll bridges, who wish to attend to the same ; and 
ferrymen. Passed, 1831. 

MICHIGAN. 

Believing " that in every community, some portion of time 
ought to be set apart for relaxation from worldly care and em- 
ployments, and devoted to the social worship of Almighty God, 
and the attainment of religious and moral instruction, which are 
in the highest degree promotive of the peace, happiness, and 
prosperity of a people," Therefore, '^ Be it enacted by the Gov- 
ernor, and Judges of the Territory of Michigan, That the first 
day of the week shall be kept and observed by the good people 
of this Territory, as a Sabbath, holy day, or day of rest from all 
secular labor, or employments, (works of necessity and charity 
excepted.)" 



LAWS OF CONGRESS. 

" Sec. 3d. And he [the Postmaster-General] shall provide 
for carrying the mail of the United States by stage, carriages, or 
horses, as he may judge most expedient ; and as often as he, 
having regard to the productiveness thereof as well as other cir- 
cumstances, shall think proper. ^ ^ He shall, also, have power 
to prescribe such requisitions to the deputy Postmasters, and 
others employed under him, as may be found necessary." 

" Sec. 5th. That if any person shall obstruct or retard the pas- 



LAWS OF CONGRESS. 23 

sage of the mail, or of any horse or carriage carrying the same, 
he shall, upon conviction," &c. 

" Sec, 1th. That every deputy Postmaster shall keep an office, 
in which one or more persons shall attend, at such hours as the 
Postmaster-General shall direct, for the purpose of performing 
the duties thereof" Approved, 1792. — Story^s United States 
Laws, Vol. 1st. 

The ahove, in substance, was re-enacted and approved, May 
8th, 1794. Here Congress ought to have left the subject. 

" Sec, 9th, That every Postmaster shall keep an office, in 
which one or more persons shall attend on every day on which 
a mail or bag, or other packet, or parcel of letters shall arrive, 
by land or water, as well as on other days, at such hours as the 
Postmaster-G-eneral shall direct, for the purpose of performing 
the duties thereof; and it shall be the duty of the Postmaster, at 
all reasonable hours, on every day of the week, to deliver, on 
demand, any letter, paper, or packet, to the person entitled to, or 
authorized to receive the same." — Story'' s United States Laws, 
Approved, April 30, 1810 — ^Re-enacted and approved March 3d, 
1825. 

In this section occurs the objectionable clause, the first and 
only one which requires labor on Sunday. It is true, if the 
Postmaster-General directs the mail to be carried on that day, 
then, by a law of Congress, the deputy Postmaster is required to 
be in his office and receive it. 



CHAPTEK II. 

PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCES AGAINST SUNDAY 
MAILS. 

It is believed by some and denied by others, that the mail, in 
this country, has been carried, on Sunday, on some of the import- 
ant routes, ever since the establishment of the Postoffice De- 
partment. This practice was introduced, and has been continued, 
by the Postmasters-General, who claim to derive their authority 
for so doing, from the law last quoted. But they are under no 
obligation, civil or religious, thus to send the mail through the 
land. They assume the responsibility of that act, and Congress 
assumes the responsibility of requiring deputy Postmasters to 
violate the laws of most of the States and Territories, and the 
law of God. 

It is scarcely to be credited, that, if the mail was thus carried, 
our forefathers would not have left on record long and repeated 
remonstrances against so glaring a violation of the divine law. 
Perhaps they did remonstrate, but the earliest applications to 
Congress that we have found are recorded below, and relate, not 
so much to carrying, as to distributing the mail, or to the law 
requiring Postmasters to labor on Sunday, enacted 1810. 

Gideon Granger'' s Report. 

" 11th Congress. No. 26. 3d Session. 

*^ Remonstrances against the delivery of letters, papers^ and 

packages, at Postoffices, on Sunday, communicated to the 

House of Representatives, January 2\st, 1811. 

" The Postmaster-General, in obedience to the resolutions, (re- 
ferring to him two memorials from sundry citizens of Philadel- 
phia and New- York, substantially similar, the first of which fol- 
lows this report,) of the House of Representatives of the United 



SUNDAY MAILS. 25 

States, passed on the 4th and 18th of the present month, respect- 
fully reports : — 

" That to keep the goyernment and its agents informed of 
such events as might be interesting to the nation with as little 
delay as possible; to equalize, among the merchants of the seve- 
ral capitals, the chances of receiving commercial information ; 
and to cause the great lines of communication to and from the 
center to the various parts of the nation, to be kept up with regu- 
larity and dispatch, and the routes to be performed within the 
least time practicable ; he has caused the mail, on many of the 
most important routes, to be transported on the Sabbath ; under 
a belief that it was a work of necessity." [Worldly considera- 
tions and advantages merely^ irrespective of the law of God, con- 
stitute the " work of necessity !"] 

" To guard against any annoyance to the good citizens of the 
United States, he carefully instructed and directed the agents of 
this office to pass quietly, without announcing their arrival or 
departure by the sounding of horns or trumpets, or any other 
act calculated to call off the attention of the citizens from their 
devotions : but, until after the passage of the act of the 30th oi 
April, 1810, this office never demanded of the Postmasters, on 
the Sabbath day, the performance of any duties, other than those 
of taking from the mail portmanteaus, the letters destined for 
delivery at the particular office, and duly forwarding the mail 
according to the usual course of business. In all previous in- 
stances, where letters were delivered to the citizens, it had been 
by the courtesy of the Postmasters, though often with the know- 
ledge, and sometimes on the recommendation, of the Postmas- 
ter-General. That, under and by virtue of the 9th section of 
the act of the 30th of April, 1810, the Postmaster-General con- 
ceived himself bound to compel the Postmasters to receive let- 
ters from, and deliver letters to, the citizens on the Sabbath day ; 
and, in conformity to that act, the following instruction was 
given to the Postmasters, to wit ; ' At Postoffices where the mail 
arrives on Sunday, the office is to be kept open for the delivery 
of letters, &c., for one hour after the arrival and assorting of the 
mail ; but in case that would interfere with the hours of public 
worship, then the office is to be kept open for one hour after the 
3 



26 THE SABBATH. 

usual time of dissolving the meetings, for that purpose.' " [All 
instructions and directions to mail carriers, to pass quietly and 
noiselessly, to and from the Postoffices, on Sunday, have long 
since been insufficient to guard the public against frequent in- 
terruptions from this source on the day devoted to rest and reli- 
gious worship. And this might have been anticipated. A li- 
cense to do wrong in one instance, leads to wrong domg in 
many.] 

^ * " Although in cases of extreme anxiety or national calam- 
ity, it may be proper for Postmasters to open their offices for the 
reception and delivery of letters on the Sabbath, and particularly 
to the officers of Government, still it is believed, that the good 
sense of the officers is a sufficient safeguard for the delivery of 
letters under all such circumstances ; and that compelling the 
Postmasters to attend to the duties of the office on the Sabbath, 
is, on them, a hardship, as well as in itself tending to bring into 
disuse and disrepute the institutions of that holy day. 

" All which is respectfully submitted. 

" Gideon Granger, Postmaster-General. 
" General Postqffice, Jan'y 30th, 1811." 

At this early period, there appear to have been some scruples 
in the minds of public officers, as to the propriety and justice of 
compelling men to labor on Sunday ; and thereby lending their 
influence to destroy its sanctit}^ But familiarity with the prac- 
tice has rendered men callous to the divine claims — the natu- 
ral and unavoidable consequence of indulging in any known sin. 

Remonstrance from Philadelphia. 
" To the honorable the Senate and House of E.epresentatives of 
the United States in Congress, the memorial, representation, 
and petition of the undersigned citizens, resident in Philadel- 
phia, respectfully represent : — 

" That ever since the establishment of the Postoffice in this 
city, the Postmaster, conforming to the established laws of the 
Commonwealth, has, until a short time since, kept the office for 
the receiving and delivering of letters shut on the first day of the 
week, usually called the Lord's day ; that, as well himself, as 



SUNDAY MAILS. 27 

the different persons employed in that department, have hither- 
to enjoyed the privileges of that day ui common with their fel- 
low-citizens. 

" Yom' memorialists, however, some few months past, have 
observed the Postoffice open, for the distribution of letters on the 
said first day of the week ; and are told that this measure, which 
infringes upon the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, is in con- 
sequence of a provision in the act passed by your honorable body, 
on the 25th of April last, and which, by the 9th section thereof, 
provides, ' that every Postmaster shall keep an office, at which 
one or more persons shall attend on every day on which a mail, 
or bag, or other packet, or parcel of letters shall arrive, by land or 
water, as well as on other days, at such hours as the Postmaster- 
General shall direct. And it shall be the duty of the Postmaster, 
at all reasonable hours, on every day of the week, to deliver, on 
demand, any letter, or packet,' &c. 

" Your memorialists are informed that, under this clause, the 
Postmasters are compelled to keep the office open on the Lord's 
day ; to the evident infringement of the laws now in force in 
this State, against the violation thereof. 

" Your memorialists respectfully call the attention of your 
honorable body to this subject, even on the ground of utility. 
For many years the city of Philadelphia has carried on a pros- 
perous and extensive commerce, without violating what they 
deem it their duty to state to be, both the law of God and man. 
Nor can they see any greater impropriety in keeping open the 
custom-house, the banks, insurance offices, and stores of mer- 
chants, generally, than of the Postoffice. For if the reception 
of letters can be made of any material advantage to our mer- 
chants, much more may those useful institutions be made sub- 
servient to their purpose. 

" Your memorialists cannot, in justice to their own feelings, 
refrain from observing, that the violation of known and univer- 
sally received precepts, when sanctioned by the most powerful 
influence in the Union, cannot fail of having a tendency to jus- 
tify every species of breach of the laws made for the strict ob- 
servance of the first day of the week, as set apart by the com- 
mand of God for his more immediate service. 



28 THE SABBATH. 

'' They do, therefore, most respectfully and earnestly petition 
your honorable body, that the said 9th section of the act, entitled 
* An act regulating the Postoffice establishment,' and passed th# 
25th of April last, may be so amended, as to prohibit the deli- 
very of letters, papers, and packets, on the said first day of the 
week, commonly called the Lord's day. And your petitioners, 
as in duty bound, will ever pray. 

Jabies p. Wilson, and others." 

The above petition contains an example of Christian and phi- 
lanthropic faithfulness. Had every friend of the Sabbath in this 
country sent to Congress similar remonstrances, and continued 
to send them, long ago would this nation have ceased to be a 
Sabbath-breaking nation. There was at that time abundant 
influence, which might have been brought to bear on our na- 
tional Legislature, to induce them to repeal an act requiring a 
certain portion of our citizens to violate a plain and an acknow- 
ledged command of God. For the neglect of this duty and the 
consequent evils, the Church is responsible. God cannot lightly 
estimate her guilt in suffering so important a command to be 
blotted from the statute book of this republic. She must yet 
come forward and redeem this institution from the contempt 
into which it has fallen, or, with those who have trampled upon 
it, sink into anarchy and heathenism. 

Reports of Mr. Rhea, 

'' 12th Congress. No. 27. 1st Session. 

Communicated to the House of Representatives, Jan. 3, 1812. 

" The Committee on the Postoffice and post-roads, to whom 
were referred the petition of the Synod of Pittsburgh and other 
citizens of several Christian denominations, residing in the west- 
em parts of the United States, and the report of the Postmaster- 
General thereon, have had the same under consideration, and 
do respectfully report : 

*' That however desirable it would be to advise the adoption 
of such regulations relative to the carrying and opening of the 
mail as might meet the views of the venerable Synod of Pitts- 



SUNDAY MIALS. 29 

burgh and the other petitioners, your committee cannot, at this 
peculiar crisis of the United States, recommend any alterations 
in the law regulating the Postoffice establishment ; and do re- 
spectfully submit the foUowmg resolution : 

" Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw their 
petition." 

" 13th Congress. No. 29. 3d Session. 

*' Communicated to the House of Representatives, Jan. 20, 1815. 

" Mr. Rhea, from the committee on the Postoffice and post- 
roads, to whom were referred sundry petitions and memorials 
remonstrating against the usage of transporting and opening the 
mail on the Sabbath, and the report of the Postmaster-General 
relating thereto, reported : 

" That they have had the same imder consideration, and 
deeming it of great national importance, particularly in time of 
war, that no delay should attend the transportation of the mail, 
they deem it inexpedient to interfere with the present arrange- 
ment of the Postoffice establishment, and therefore submit the 
following resolution : 

" Resolved, That it is inexpedient to grant the prayer of the 
petitioners." 

From Return J. Meigs, Postmaster-General. 

General Postoffice, Jan. 16, 1815. 

" Sir, — The Postmaster General, to whom were referred sun- 
dry memorials against the usage of transporting and opening the 
mails on the Sabbath, has the honor to report the followmg 
facts and observations : 

" The usage of transporting the mails on the Sabbath is coeval 
with the Constitution of the United States." 

[Here follows a statement showing the different routes on 
which the mail is transported on Sunday, and the delays which 
a suspension of the mail on that day would occasion. He then 
proceeds,] " and generally, the mails would on an average, be 
retarded equal to one-seventh part of the time now employed." 
[And might not the same be said should other business be sus- 
pended one-seventh part of the time ? The farmer, who in har- 



30 THE SABBATH. 

vest should lie by on Sunday, would lose one-seventh part of 
his time. So also the mechanic, the manufacturer, the profes- 
sional man, &c. &:c. This is arguing on the principle assumed 
by those who consider time spent in keeping the Sabbath as 
lost, which is by no means admitted. And have the people of 
these United States any more right to demand a mail on Sim- 
day than the continuance of other avocations, perhaps equally 
important ? But a question of loss or gain is never, for a mo- 
ment, to be put in competition with a known command of our 
Creator and Benefactor. It is sufficient, in any case, that we 
have a " Thus saith the Lord," for our guide. 

When speaking of the law requiring Postmasters to attend to 
the duties of their office on Sunday, he says, " in most of the of- 
fices, it occupies but little time, and cannot greatly interfere with 
religious exercises ;" intimating at least that if a man attends 
public worship on a Sunday, he need not hesitate about secu- 
larizing the rest of the day ; that merely opening and distribut- 
ing the mail on Sunday camiot be a serious violation of God's 
law. He continues,] 

" It is to be observed, that public policy, pm-e moralit}^, and 
undefiled religion, combine in favor of a due observance of the 
Sabbath. Nevertheless^ a nation owes to itself an exercise of 
means adapted to its own preservation," &c. 

It is best to serve and obey God, if we think our safety and 
prosperity will be promoted by it ; but not otherwise ! The 
city must be guarded in the way dictated by our wisdom, irre- 
spective of the fact, that unless the Lord keep the city, the 
watchmen watch in vain. It is greatly to be lamented, that so 
many politicians and statesmen of the present day, inculcate 
principles and exhibit examples, which cannot be safely followed. 

Report of Mr. Daggett, j 

*' 13th Congress. No. 30. 3d Session. \ 

Mr. Daggett communicated to the Senate a report, dated 
January 27, 1815, as follows : 

*' The committee of the Senate, to whom were referred the 
petitions of numerous citizens of the States of New Hampshire, 



SUNDAY MA ELS. 31 

Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Ohio, praying 
the Congress to prohibit the transportation and opening of the 
mail on the Sabbath, having attended to the duty assigned them, 
respectfully report : 

" That the importance of the subject, and the motives v^hich 
actuate so large a portion of their fellow^-citizens, are duly re- 
garded and appreciated. Were the practice of the transporta- 
tion of the mail on every day of the week now commenced, and 
that of opening it on the Sabbath under no regulations, the 
committee would consider it necessary to make some legislative 
provision on the subject. The General Government, from its 
establishment, has pursued a system of causing the mail to be 
transported on the Sabbath, on the great roads leading through 
and across the country, while the practice has been avoided on 
routes of less importance. The public convenience has justified 
these measures, in view of the government." 

The puUic convenience justifies the violation of the fourth 
commandment ! He next refers to the objectionable law, and 
the regulations relative to delivering letters out of the ordinary 
season for divine service, and concludes with presuming that the 
Postmaster-General will continue this regulation ; and consider- 
ing that our country is engaged in war, deems it not advisable 
to pass ANY LAW on the subject matter of the petitions. 

Report of Mr. Mills, 

" 14th Congress. No. 1. (In the Appendix.) 2d Session. 

Mr. Mills communicated to the House of Representatives 
the following report, dated March 1, 1817 : 

" The committee to whom was referred sundry petitions, from 
different parts of the United States, praying that Congress 
would prohibit, by law, the transportation and opening of the 
mail on the Sabbath, ask leave to report : That they have de- 
voted that attention to the said petitions, which the importance 
of the subject, and the motives which actuated so respectable a 
portion of their fellow-citizens, seemed to require." 

Then follow a number of inquiries proposed to Return J. 
Meigs, Postmaster-General, the last of which is, " Would the 
prohibition of the transportation and opening of the mail on the 



32 THE SABBATH. 

Sabbath essentially impede the arrangements of your depart- 
ment, or injm'e the public interest ?" 

[This inquiry implies that the law of the Sabbath must bow 
to Postoffice arrangements and public interest. The Postmaster- 
General, in his answer, after referring to the existing laws, al- 
ready quoted, to the short time occupied in delivering letters, and 
to the detention of the mail as a general loss of one-seventh part 
of time, remarks,] " The usage of transporting the mail on the 
Sabbath is coeval with the government imder the present Con- 
stitution of the United States, though the practice of delivering 
letters on the Sabbath is of more recent origin, and commenced in 
1810." He concludes in the following language : " The contents 
of the mail are not confined to public dispatches, nor to subjects 
of private business or pleasure. The same mail which transports 
such, equally accelerates supplies to want, consolation to afflic- 
tion, and to piety evangelical correspondence ; and thus, per- 
forming works of charity, it may be considered as doing good 
on the, Sahhath day.^'' [Wonder if the General Government 
would think it worth the while to maintain Sunday mails for 
the henevolent purpose of " conveying supplies to want, conso- 
lation to affliction," &c.] 

" In addition to the foregoing letter [from the Postmaster- 
General,] the committee beg leave to observe, that they cor- 
dially agree with the petitioners in the importance of a religious 
observance of the Christian Sabbath — an institution calculated 
to afford an opportunity for relaxation from labor and worldly 
cares ; for reflection upon serious and moral subjects ; for devout 
adoration of the Creator and Governor of the World ; for acts of 
charity and benevolence, and for the exercise and improvement 
of all those virtues which adorn the nature and contribute to the 
happiness of man." 

The following remark and resolutions close the report : 
" But, although the committee believe it necessary to con- 
tinue the transportation of the mail, they do not perceive that 
the same necessity exists for the delivery of letters at the re- 
spective Postoffices on the Sabbath. They therefore report the 
following resolutions : 



SUNDAY MAILS. 33 

" Resolved^ That it is inexpedient, at this time, to pass any 
law respecting the transportation of the mail. 

" Resolved^ That provision be made, by law, to prohibit the 
delivery of letters at the respective Postoffices of the United 
States on the Sabbath." 

From this time no public proceedings in relation to Sunday 
mails are found till 1829. From the Report of Mr. Johnson, of 
Kentucky, communicated to the Senate of the Twentieth Con- 
gress, at their second session, January 19th, 1829, it appears, 
that numerous petitions, similar to the above, had then been 
received, and referred to a committee. 

This was the period of the pioneer effort, in the western part 
of the State of New York, and of general interest awakened in 
behalf of the Christian Sabbath. 

Petitions were also presented, in great numbers, to the House 
of Representatives of the same Congress, and referred to the 
Committee on Postoffices and postroads. Their chairman, the 
Hon. Samuel McKean, communicated to the House a report 
thereon, February 3d, 1829. This report speaks in respectful 
terms of the petitioners, and of their motives — of the high im- 
portance of the Sabbath, civilly as well as religiously — of its 
recognition by the United States' Government, &c. &c. It then 
introduces a train of reasoning, somewhat analogous to that al- 
ready objected to in the reports above commented upon, and 
closes with remarks and a resolution in favor of a repeal of the 
law requiring Postmasters to deliver letters, &:c. on Sunday. 

In connection with this report is found a communication to 
the Chairman, from the Hon. John McLean, Postmaster-Gen- 
eral, dated January 19th, 1829, answering several mterrogato- 
ries in relation to the pecuniary income, the speed of the mail, 
and the effects on commercial interests, should the prayer of the 
petitioners be granted. Speaking of the commencement of 
Sunday mails, Mr. McLean says, " A daily mail has been in 
operation, on some routes, almost ever since the organization of 
this department tmder the Federal Government." From this 
language, it is obvious, that its author supposed the transporta- 
tion of the mail on Sunday in this country, was not " coeval 



34 THE SABBATH. 

with the establishment of the Postoffice department," as has 
been stated. 

It should be recollected, that in a number of instances, the 
committees of Congress, while they opposed the passage of a 
law prohibiting the transportation of the mail on Sunday, have, 
nevertheless, been in favor of a repeal of the clause compelling 
Postmasters to deliver letters, &c., on that day, and have re- 
commended the repeal of the same, — the very clause complained 
of in the petitions of 1838 and 1839. 

The Hon. W. T. Barry, Postmaster-General, communicated 
to the Twenty-first Congress, first session, March 4th, 1830, " a 
statement of the post-routes within the United States on which 
the mail is transported on Sunday." The number, according to 
this report, was nearly 300 — extending through the whole coun- 
try, on all the great thoroughfares. What an astonishing 
amount of Sabbath desecration must have resulted. The in- 
crease of these mails, since that time, has been great, and must 
be greater still. When we contrast the temporal and spiritual 
interests of all those engaged m this demoralizing practice, with 
the pecuniary benefits derived to the nation, or to individuals, 
can any one, properly enlightened, for a moment doubt the in- 
utility and inexpediency of such a measure ? It destroys mo- 
rality and good order, mental and physical energy, and the 
brightest prospects of the undying soul. 

Although Sunday mails may give temporary pleasure and 
profit to few, they bring bankruptcy and eternal pain on many. 
And that man who demands a Sunda}^ mail can be neither a 
philanthropist, a patriot, nor a consistent Christian. Is not he 
a Sabbath breaker, as well as the man who carries, or opens 
and distributes it ? Hear what Dr. Adam Clark, in his com- 
mentary, says of the Sabbath breaker. " Those who habitually 
disregard its [the Sabbath's] moral obligations, are, to a man, 
not only good for nothing, but are wretched in themselves, a 
curse to society, and often end their lives miserably." What 
has God said concerning them ? To such an inquiry, the friends 
of Sunday mails strenuously object, as is apparent from the fol- 
lowing passage in Mr. Johnson's first report. " The petitioners 
appear, in many instances, to lay it down as an axiom, that the 



SUNDAY MAILS. 35 

practice is a violation of the law of God." But can the true 
philanthropist and the consistent Christian, though they be 
" civil legislators merely," overlook the bearing of such ques- 
tions on the moral and political destinies of those for whom they 
legislate ? Even if Congress refuse to prohibit Sunday mails, by 
law, they should not require of any man labor on that day. 
And, by example, they ought in all things to lend their influ- 
ence to sustain an institution, on which rests the hope, not only 
of the Christian, but of the patriot and the world. 

The next document to which we come, is the Report of Hon. 
R. M. Johnson, communicated to the House of Representatives, 
March 4th and 5th, 1830, at the first session of the Twenty-first 
Congress. This report partakes of the same sophistry and vitu- 
peration of the one made to the Senate in 1829. It has already 
been reviewed by able men, and shown to be most unkind, un- 
fair, and unchristian. Satan never accomplished a greater tem- 
porary victory over this institution, through any agency, in any 
country, unless the infidelity of France be an exception, than 
was accomplished by this and the former reports. As he some- 
times transforms himself into an angel of light, that he may the 
better succeed in his nefarious designs, so do these reports. 
They admit just enough of the truth of the Christian religion, 
and of the importance of the Sabbath, to throw the reader off 
his guard ; and then, by bold and unfounded assumptions, by 
false premises and wrong conclusions, lead him to think that 
the writer is contending, legitimately, against a reality, and not 
fallaciously, against a figment of his disordered imagination. 
But no discriminating mind, and especially no enlightened Chris- 
tian can fail to see in these reports blank infidelity, touching 
this institution, and the right of God to require its observance. 

It is greatly to be desired, that the writers of these reports 
may see the error of the course they have pursued, and repent 
of it, though they can never make amends for all the evil brought 
on the nation through these instrumentalities. 

Report of Hon. Mr. McCreery. 

The Hon. Mr. McCreery, of the same committee, submit- 
ted his views on this subject to the House, March 5th, 1830, de- 



36 THE SABBATH. 

fending the aspersed character, impugned motives, and misrepre- 
sented views of the petitioners ; as well as the principles for 
which they contended. It is a document too sensible, candid, 
and too much in point, to he withheld from the reader. 

" All Christian nations acknowledge the first day of the week 
to be the Sabbath. Almost every state in this Union has, by 
positive legislation, not only recognized this day as sacred, but 
has forbidden its profanation under penalties imposed by law. 

" It was never considered by any of those states as an en- 
croachment upon the rights of conscience, or as an improper in- 
terference with the opinions of the few, to guard the sacredness 
of that portion of time acknowledged to he holy by the many. 

" The petitioners ask not Congress to expound the moral law ; 
they ask' not Congress to meddle with theological controversies, 
much less to interfere with the rights of the Jew, or the Sabba- 
tarian ; or to treat with the least disrespect the religious feel- 
ings of any portion of the inhabitants of the Union ; they ask 
the introduction of no religious coercion into our civil institu- 
tions ; no blending of civil and religious affairs ; but they do ask 
that the agents of Government, employed in the Postofl&ce De- 
partment, may be permitted to enjoy the same opportunities of 
attending to moral and religious instruction, or mtellectual im- 
provement, on that day which is enjoyed by the rest of their fel- 
low-citizens. They approach the Government, not for personal 
emolument, but as patriots and Christians, to express their high 
sense of the moral energy and necessity of the Sabbath for the 
perpetuity of our republican institutions, and respectfully request 
that Congress will not, by legislative enactments, impair these 
energies. 

"Among the many reasons which might be advanced, that it 
is both expedient and a dut}^ to grant the prayer of the petition- 
ers, the following only are submitted : — 

" The petitioners ask the enactment of no law establishing 
the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath ; they only 
ask the extension and application to one department of Govern- 
ment, of a principle, which is recognized, and has, since the foun- 
dation of our Government, been acknowledged in every other de- 
partment. The principle embraced in the petitions has been re- 



SUNDAY MAILS. 37 

cognized by Congress, by adjourning over the first day of the 
week. * ^ All the other Executive Departments of Govern- 
ment are closed on that day. Congress has never, by this, con- 
sidered itself expounding the moral law, or as introducing any 
religious coercion into our civil institutions ; or making any in- 
novations on the religious rights of the citizens ; or settling, by 
legislation, any theological question that may exist between 
Jews, Sabbatarians, and other denominations. The good of so- 
ciety requires the strict observance of one day in seven. Paley, 
and other writers on moral philosophy, have shown, that the 
resting of men every seventh day ; their winding up their la- 
bors and concerns once in seven days ; their abstraction from the 
affairs of the world, to improve their minds and converse with 
their Maker ; their orderly attendance on public worship and in- 
struction, have a direct and powerful tendency to improve the 
morals and temporal happiness of mankind. 

"The wise and good Ruler of the Universe made the appoint- 
ment, not by a mere arbitrary exercise of authority, but for our 
good ; and, whatever difference of opinion may exist in respect 
to the proper day to be observed, almost all agree that one day 
in seven should be devoted to religious exercises. That being 
admitted, can any thing be more reasonable than the request of 
the petitioners, that at least so much of the law should be re- 
pealed as requires the Postoffice to be kept open every day of the 
week ? Does not the enactment of that law plainly imply that 
mankind are under no moral obligation to refrain from secular 
labor on any day of the week ? Is it not in direct opposition to the 
received opinion of almost all professing Christians ? It is to that 
part of the law, more particularly, which requires, in terms, all 
the Postmasters throughout the United States to deliver letters, 
packets, and papers on every day of the week, to which the mi- 
nority of your committee object; and which is most offensive to 
the petitioners. In this statute is at once seen a palpable en- 
croachment on the rights of conscience. It either drives every 
man who feels himself morally bound to observe the Sabbath in 
a religious manner, from the service of his comitry, and equal 
participation in her favors, or subjects him to the hard terms of 
remaining in office at the expense of his principles. It is freely 
4 



38 THE SABBATH. 

acknowledged that works of necessity and mercy are not forbid- 
den ; and if the transportation of the mail on Sunday could be 
justified on that ground, (which is not admitted,) it cannot be 
contended that the keeping open oflaces where no mail arrives on 
that day, is the work of necessity. 

" The arguments which have been urged for the transporta- 
tion of the mail, &:c. on the Sabbath, are mainly derived from 
commercial convenience, and from alleged derangement of busi- 
ness and intercourse. This doc trine militates against the first 
principles of good morals. If these are important at all, they 
are paramount to the claims of expediency ; but this plea makes 
them subservient to the pressure of worldly business, and con- 
verts them into mere questions of profit and loss. 

" The prayer of the petitioners cannot interfere with the reli- 
gious feelings or consciences of any portion of the citizens, be- 
cause they ask no service to be performed, no principle to be pro- 
fessed. It is only asked that certain duties be not required on a 
certain day. Were it imposing any service, or requiring the 
profession of any opinions, those whose religious sentiments 
were different, might justly complain. But he who conscien- 
tiously believes that he is bound to observ^e the seventh day of the 
week, in a religious manner, can have no just reason to complain, 
because Government takes nothing from him in permitting all 
classes of citizens to observe the first day of the week as a day 
of religious rest. The case would be quite difiTerent, did the pri- 
vilege of resting on that day, impose any thing on any class of 
citizens contrary to their conscience. 

" Therefore, Resolved, that it is expedient to grant the prayer 
of the petitioners." 

(Signed) " Wm. McCreery." 

In order to place before the reader more fully the arguments 
of the petitions and remonstrances agamst Sunday mails, a few 
extracts from some of those presented in 1829, will now be sub- 
joined. 

From Newark, N, /., Dec. 10th, 1829. 
* ^ " That your memorialists conscientiously believe that the 



SUNDAY MAILS. 39 

people of these United States, in their national capacity and 
character, constitute a Christian nation ; if a Christian nation, 
then our Government is a Christian Government, a government 
formed and established by Christians, and therefore bound by the 
word of God, not at liberty to contravene his laws, nor to act ir- 
respectively of the obligations we owe to him. ^ ^ ^ 

'' Your memorialists do not ask a legislative act, or any gov- 
ernmental declaration that Sunday shall be kept holy ; they only 
ask that the existing laws, requiring any part of that day to be 
appropriated to secular business in the Postoffice Depart- 
ment, ^ * may be repealed." 

From North Carolina. December, 1829. 

^ ^ " The practice of thus violating one of the express com- 
mands of God, having the sanction of the constituted authorities 
of the Government, assumes a national character, and may be 
justly called a national sin — the awful consequences of which 
are so often detailed in the sacred volume. ^ ^ 

" To put a stop to this practice is not to impose restraint on 
the rights of any, but rather to remove a restraint which is 
grievous to many ; it is to give liberty to all to enjoy the rest and 
privileges of that sacred day ; and to terminate a practice, the 
example of which your memorialists humbly conceive to be in- 
jurious to the morals of the people. ^ * 

" By the observance or profanation of the Sabbath, the stan- 
dard of morals is regulated in every Christian land ; and in pro- 
portion as Christian morals prevail, the people are happy and 
the country prosperous ; and if the bond of union, which holds 
our beloved country together, is ever dissolved, (which may 
Heaven avert !) it will be by first throwing off all religious and 
moral restraints. * * No nation has ever suffered by cherishing 
the spirit of Christ ; but many have been ruined by giving place 
to a contrary spirit. ^' ^ It would be too much to say (and it is 
now too late to say it) that there shall be no legislative sanc- 
tions to enforce the laws of God ; the statute book of the nation 
furnishes too many mstances of such sanctions, now to call in 
question the right. And if, in copying the laws of God, your 
honorable body can say (without approaching the awful whirl- 



40 THE SABBATH. 

pool of church and state) that murder is a crime, and shall be 
punished with death, where, your memorialists would respect- 
fully ask, is the danger in saying', after the same example, that 
the violation of the Christian Sabbath is a sin, and ought not to 
be countenanced ? But, in truth, the subject matter of this me- 
morial does not involve the question of Church and State, but of 
morality and State. And in such an union as the latter, all ^ ^ 
would have much cause to rejoice." 

From the County of Williamson and others^ Tenn. 

" We usurp powers of the General Government to disturb the 
Sabbath's rest, which the States have never granted ; and we 
interfere with their constant use of powers, to protect its rest, 
which they have reserved to themselves. We brand our nation 
with a dishonorable inconsistency ; virtually declaring, it is from 
no regard to the authority of the Most High, that we suspend, 
on the Sabbath, our legislative and judicial business. * ^ We 
entice thousands of our citizens from their duty to God, to their 
families, to society, and their own souls, on the Sabbath, to work 
for unlawful gain ; or to amuse themselves and their acquaint- 
ances with the news just brought from a distance by the Sab- 
bath mail. We assume jurisdiction over religious concerns in 
opposition to the genius of our free and tolerant constitution, and 
to our own profession ; and, under the plea of avoiding a reli- 
gious establishment, which no man asks for, and which the 
truly religious would most deplore, we make an irreligious es- 
tablishment, against the authority and observance of the whole 
decalogue ; for, to offend deliberately, in one point, is to be 
guilty of all. Thus we spread a disastrous influence over our 
numerous population throughout the whole land ; we entail a 
bitter experience of its direful effects upon the next generation ; 
and tempt the God of the Sabbath to send down his fearful 
judgments upon our rising nation, without delaj^ and without 
cessation. 

" In doing all this, we sin against light. Neither the people 
in general, nor those who represent them, are at liberty to plead 
ignorance. We all knovv^, or may know, that the decalogue is 
the permanent moral law of the Almighty Ruler of nations in 



SUNDAY MAILS. 41 

his uncontrollable goYernment oYer us ; that the four command- 
ments which point out our duty to God, lie at the foundation of 
the six which point out our duty to men ; that the fourth, which 
requires our keeping holy to the Lord one day in seYen, is as 
sacred and perpetual as any of the ten. ^ ^ ^ =^ On its faithful 
observance, in eYery community faYored with it, depends the 
prospect that the people will understand, loYe, and obey the 
other precepts of the decalogue ; or that they will CYer be re- 
strained from the most lawless and destructiYe immorality. 

" In the infinite benignity of the Deity, the Sabbath was made 
for man — all mankind. It consults their best interests for time 
and eternity. It communicates their most important informa- 
tion. It originates and cherishes their best affections. It im- 
parts the happiest direction to their moral conduct in all the re- 
lations of public and private life. It supplies the only adequate 
cement to human society. It controls the wicked, and protects 
the good. It is the anchor of the nation's safety and prosperity. 
Loose its moorings, and you uiYolYe millions in the consequent 
shipwreck. While G-od Yisits our world in mercy, it will be a 
sign and a witness between him and men, how they feel and 
conduct towards each other. Sanctified by any people to its 
proper use, it will bring upon them a blessing in its train ; or 
profaned, a curse ; and such a blessing, or such a curse, as shall 
comport with the majesty of its Almighty Lord, and the impor- 
tance he attaches to this signal institution. The imited testi- 
mony of prophecy, history, and obserYation, confirm this antici- 
pation. 

" Hence it is manifest, that, by the transportation of the mail 
and the opening of the Postoffices, by law, on the Sabbath, we 
make an incalculable sacrifice of principle, character, blessing, 
and prospect ; while we are supported by no plea of necessity 
or mercy ; or by no better than that of mere temporal couYe- 
nience and worldly gain." 

From Philadelphia^ Penn. 

" Your memorialists cannot but think that the enactment of 
which they pray an appeal is a Yirtual infraction of the Consti- 
tution of the United States ; and they ask no more than a resto- 

4# 



42 THE SABBATH. 

ration of its integrity. =^ =^ =^ =^ A religious, or rather an irreli- 
gious test, appears to your memorialists to be in this case imposed, 
and equal rights to be plainly and injuriously denied to a large 
portion of the community. ^ * 

" Now we believe that nearly all, if not the whole, of the 
confederating States, at the time they adopted the Federal Con- 
stitution, had laws in existence, and which still exist, explicitly 
prohibiting such acts as constantly take place in the conveyance 
of the mail, and the transaction of business at the Postoffices on 
Sunday ; nor has the power of repealing these laws ever been 
surrendered to the Federal Legislature. Yet they are in effect 
repealed ; for they are completely set aside by that part of the 
Postoffice law to which your memorialists refer. The example, 
moreover, which is every week exhibited of a total disregard to 
the day of sacred rest, in the traveling of the mail under the 
countenance of a national act, is of more pernicious influence 
than can easily be set forth. It renders impracticable the effect- 
ual execution of any of the State laws, by which a due observ- 
ance of the Lord's day is enjoined ; so that the utter disregard 
and desecration of that day, seems likely soon to ensue, if the 
example which has been, and still is, a principal cause of the 
evil shall not be withdrawn. * ^ 

" And why, let your memorialists be permitted to ask, should 
the numerous individuals employed in the Postoffice Depart- 
ment, be deprived, as they are, of the rest and the other privi- 
leges, which their fellow citizens of all descriptions enjoy, by the 
suspension of their ordinary engagements for one day in seven ? 
No necessity or efficient cause for this peculiarity, your memo- 
rialists are persuaded, can be assigned, even if the paramount 
consideration of the sacredness of the day should be left out of 
view. ^ "^ 

" Finally, your memorialists are under the solemn conviction, 
that the preservation of all our free institutions, in their purity 
and integrity, if not in their very existence, is deeply involved in 
this subject. No maxim in politics is better established, than 
that virtue and good morals are the only basis on which a free 
government can permanently rest ; and no truth is more clear 
or important, than that which was inculcated in the farewell 



SUNDAY MAILS. 43 

address of the Father of his country — that morality cannot be 
preserved without religion ; and to this it may with truth as 
unquestionably, be added, that without a Sabbath, a day of sa- 
cred rest, religion cannot be maintained in an extensive commu- 
nity. Do we then ask that Congress should interpose to main- 
tain it ? No ; we repeat that we only ask that Congress may 
not permit the law of the United States to destroy it. We en- 
treat that the law of our country may not be permitted to un- 
dermine and prostrate the palladium of its freedom." 

From Kentucky, 

" It is sufficient for the purpose of your memorialists, that the 
fact exists of abstinence from labor on the Sabbath in all coun- 
tries, where Christianity or civilization has prevailed ; and that 
the day has been recognized and respected in every Government 
in such countries ; and almost every code of human laws there 
adopted has acknowledged the sanctity of the day. The example 
of the Government, whose organs we address, can be quoted on 
this subject. Congress ceases from their deliberations. Courts 
adjourn, and the President and all the Executive Departments 
close their offices on that day, except that portion of executive 
power placed under the Postmaster-General, which, contrary to 
the general rule, is on that day in busy operation. To open all 
these offices, and to set all these departments to the exercise of 
their duties on the Sabbath, would be resisted by the sense of 
the American people ; and your memorialists cannot see that 
the exception alluded to, as practised, is any better in principle 
than such conjoint labor would be in every Department. 

" Your memorialists protest against the States supporting, 
aiding, or being united to the Church ; and they also protest 
against the civil power being used to trample down or persecute 
the Church, or to weaken and destroy one church duty. ^ * 
We know Congress cannot, and ought not, to enforce the duties 
of the Sabbath. We ask them not to do this ; but we ask them 
to keep their hands from pulling down, destroying, and disre- 
garding a day, the duties of which are established by another, 
and infinitely superior power. It is no act of positive legisla- 
tion in favor of the Sabbath, or any other religious duty, that we 



44 THE SABBATH. 

solicit. We ask the National Legislature to act negatively ; to 
retire from the controversy, and to repeal a law which has vio- 
lated what is admitted by Christians to be a religious duty. * ^ 

" Other countries in Christendom respect the day, even with 
their mail intercourse ; and we regret that our own Government 
is, in this respect, almost a solitary exception to the practice of 
suspension of Sabbath labor. ^ ^ In almost all, if not every 
State code, the Sabbath is recognized, and penalties inflicted on 
its breach. ^ ^ 

" Now your memorialists would urge the impropriety of Con- 
gress expressly authorizing acts to be done on the Sabbath, 
which violate all these State codes. Can Congress, by one or 
two sentences, in regulating her Postoffice Department, virtually 
repeal and annul all these State laws ? If they come into col- 
lision, which is to yield ? If the State officer, in execution of a 
State law, stops the mail, which is forbidden by that law to 
travel on the State soil, will the discretion vested by act of Con- 
gress in the Postmaster-General, to direct mails to travel at all 
hours, protect the traveler, annul the State law, and paralyze the 
power of ihe prosecuting officer?" ^ ^ 

From Alexandria, D. C. 

" Your memorialists regard the institution of the Sabbath as 
one of the most striking proofs of Divine beneficence ; and as 
affording the only adequate means for preserving the fear of 
God, the sanctity of oaths, genuine personal integrity, and pub- 
lic morals ; and our civil and political principles. ^ ^ 

" The friends of religion and virtue have witnessed the in- 
crease of immorality with deep regret and solicitude; and they 
are constrained to believe that it is in vain for the friends of 
good order to attempt to protect this holy day from profanation, 
while the Government allows the mails to be carried on Sundays, 
and requires Postmasters to deliver letters, papers, and packets, 
' on every day of the week.' We feel that we have a right to 
look for example to the Government of that people who have 
often called themselves the most virtuous people on earth ; to 
hope that those whom they have clothed with power, will not 
longer permit a practice which is continually undermining the 



SUNDAY MAILS. 45 

morals, and consequently endangering the liberties of the na- 
tion. 

" Your memorialists can look upon a disregard of the Sabbath 
in no other light than as the first step on the road to crime ; and 
they believe with that distinguished commentator, Judge Black- 
stone, that the profanation of that day is an offence against God 
and religion. The records of the criminal courts of all nations 
will show that a disregard of the Sabbath and its sacred duties 
has been the commencement of a departure from those princi- 
ples which are the best protection against crime. Moral de- 
linquency, in any country, increases in a ratio with the profana- 
tion of the Sabbath. It has been said by the advocates of 
transporting the mail and opening it on Sunday, if this was not 
done, it would be violated by individuals hiring and sending ex- 
presses. This may be done, ^ "^ yet, will the violation of the 
Sabbath by individuals, excuse the Government of a people, who 
call themselves Christians, for giving sanction by their laws and 
practice to the profanation of a day set apart by the positive 
command of God for holy duties ? With as much propriety 
might the Government excuse the passage of laws authorizing 
the violation of each of the other commandments, by pleading 
the practice of individuals. ^ ^ 

" We do not solicit you to put a stop by public laws to private 
sins ; but, by example, to arrest a great national sin, founded in 
a practice sanctioned and commanded by the Government, which 
practice is in opposition to the best interests of our country ; to 
the laws of a holy and merciful God; to the rights of the reli- 
gious portion of the community ; and even to the rights of the 
brute creation." 

From Augusta^ Maine. 

" Let the Christian Sabbath cease to be observed as a day of 
rest from secular labors, and of devotion to the offices of religion, 
and the influence of religious principle would soon be at an end. 
But public sentiment in favor of the Sabbath must be sustained 
and strengthened by the manifestation of respect for it, in the 
official acts of the Government. ^ ^ 

" But it has been alleged, that if the transportation of the mail, 



46 THE SABEATH. 

and the opening of the Postoffices, on the Sabbath, should cease, 
it would occasion an interruption of public and private business ; 
productive of evils which no justly-to-be-anticipated good can 
countervail. To this objection we reply, that if it had been 
usual to hold courts of justice and to transact legislative business 
on the Sabbath, it would be deemed a great detriment to the 
public and private interests to suspend their proceedings on that 
day; and arguments of as much weight might have been urged, 
and with equal confidence and zeal, as are now offered against 
the prayer of our petition. But will it be insisted, that suspen- 
sion of business in those instances should not have occurred, and 
ought not to be sanctioned ? Is not the reason of the thing as 
strong and conclusive in the one case as in the other ? * ^ 

" We deeply feel, that it is an object of the greatest import to 
propitiate the favor and blessing of Him, whose smiles give 
prosperity to every enterprise, and whose frown rendereth abor- 
tive every purpose." 

From Boston^ Mass. 

"That your memorialists, in common with multitudes of 
their fellow citizens m all parts of the United States, regard the 
observance of the Christian Sabbath as pre-eminently conducive 
to the prevalence of good morals, intelligence, and happiness ; 
as tending to secure and perpetuate all the blessings of a free 
G-overnment, and as incomparably the best and most powerful 
means of preserving good order in the community, and of pro- 
motmg the public prosperity. On the other hand, they consider 
the desecration of the Sabbath as a great evil, which, if it 
should become universal, or nearly so, would be followed by 
general ignorance, licentiousness and vice ; and in such a state 
of things, it would be impossible to sustaui our republican insti- 
tutions, or those religious privileges, which are more valuable 
than life itself 

" Your memorialists cannot but lament, that any thing should 
be done by the authority of the General Government, which 
tends to diminish the sanctity of a divine institution, or to weak- 
en the bands of public morality. They respectfully and earnest- 
ly request, therefore, that so much of the Postoffice law as re- 



~ SUNDAY MAILS. 47 

quires Postoffices to be kept open on the Sabbath, may be re- 
pealed; and that the laws of the several States now in existence 
for the protection of the Sabbath, may not be violated by the 
Postofiice establishment, nor by any branch of the public service. 

"Your memorialists ^ ^ complain that the present law, 
which requires Postoffices to be kept open on the Sabbath, is, 
as they conceive, unconstitutional. Of the constitution of the 
United States, it is a fundamental principle, that powers not 
given to the G-eneral Government, either expressly or by fair im- 
plication, cannot be exercised by that G-overnment. But no 
power is thus given to the General Government to encroach 
upon the religious privileges of the people. From the first set- 
tlement of this country, the privilege of keeping the Sabbath 
without interruption has been esteemed most valuable, and 
would not, at any time, have been voluntarily surrendered. ^ * 

" Should it be said, that the transportation of the mail, and 
the keeping open of the Postoffices on the Sabbath, are works 
of necessity, the assertion is sufficiently refuted by these facts, 
viz : that, during a great part of the period of our national ex- 
istence, the mail has not been transported, and Postoffices have 
not been kept open on the Sabbath ; that many of our most en- 
terprising merchants habitually refuse to take their letters from 
the office on that day ; and that in the greatest commercial em- 
porium in the world, the Postoffice is not opened, nor is any 
mail made up or received there on the Sabbath. There is sap- 
posed to be five times as much commercial intercourse between 
London and Liverpool, as between New York and Philadelphia ; 
and yet no mail leaves London for Liverpool between Saturday 
evening and Monday evening. * * 

" If Congress has power to make the servants of the public 
labor on the Sabbath in one Department, it has equal power in 
all other Departments. But would it be tolerated in this Chris- 
tian community, that courts of justice and custom-houses should 
be open on the Sabbath, and that all public offices under the 
General Government should be held by men who have no regard 
to that day, in exclusion of all who reverence the sanctuary, 
and remember the Sabbath to keep it holy ? Is a conscien- 



48 THE SABBATH. 

tious attachment to religious observances a disqualification for 
office ? * =^ 

" The proper management of the Postoffice requires the 
agency of men of integrity ; and it cannot be good policy to 
lessen any of the sanctions by which honesty and fidelity are 
preserved. 

" The transaction of public business by the transportation and 
opening of the mails tends constantly and pov^erfiiUy to increase 
the number of those who do not observe the Sabbath, and ulti- 
mately to destroy the public influence of that divine institution 
altogether. 

* * " If these habits and practices should continue to increase, 
nothing can be clearer than that the restraints of religion will be 
removed from the community at large, and either cease to exist, 
or be consigned to a comparatively small number of retired and 
obscure individuals. 

" No legislator should be ignorant that those members of the 
community who utterly disregard the Sabbath, are soon brought 
to make it a day of dissipation and riot ; and those who have 
thus desecrated the day for any considerable time, are prepared 
for the grossest vices and the most disgraceful crimes. Who 
does not know, that the perpetration of fraud, theft, arson, burg- 
lary, robbery, and murder, has become frequent in most parts 
of the United States? Who does not know, that these crimes 
are perpetrated, almost exclusively, by persons who have long 
been in the habit of violating the Sabbath ? In one of our state 
prisons, containing five or six hundred convicts, particular in- 
quiry was made on this subject. The history of one convict was 
the history of all. They had never observed a Sabbath, or had 
ceased to observe it before they committed the crimes for which 
they were suffering the vengeance of the laws. 

" The system of Government, then, which tends to increase 
the number of Sabbath-breakers, tends to fill our state prisons 
with felons, and our streets with the cry of violence ; and to 
stain our land with blood. Here is no mistake ; there can be 
none; and the more this subject is examined, the more irresisti- 
bly will it appear, that those who would promote the observ- 



SUNDAY MAILS. 49 

ance of the Sabbath, by removing temptations to violate it, are 
the true benefactors of their country. ^' * 

" But your memorialists conceive, that, v^hile the General 
Government can make no law for the support of religion, it is 
equally true, that the General Government ought not to make a 
law, the tendency of which shall be the destruction of both reli- 
gion and morality. On this ground the present memorial is offered. 
The existing Postoffice law violates religious obligations; and, 
so far as it has this effect, it ought to be repealed." 

The foregoing extracts of Petitions, Memorials, Remon- 
strances, and Reports, are copied from " The American State 
Papers, Class VII. Post Office Department." 

The reader would be abundantly rewarded by an examination 
of all the petitions and memorials which have been presented on 
this subject. A few more of them may be found in the book 
from which the above extracts were taken; and others, proba- 
bly among the archives of the nation. 

Further extracts from petitions and remonstrances, on the 
same subject, and presented at the same time, quoted from a 
small Tract published in New York, 1829, giving " An account 
of Memorials to Congress," &c., will now be added. This Tract 
gives an account of more than four hundred and fifty distinct pe- 
titions, from more than twenty different states ; to which are 
affixed the names of many of the most distinguished men in the 
nation, as may be seen by referring to that work. 

From Leroy^ N. Y. 

" Your petitioners have observed, with deep regret, that the 
more we are prospered as a nation, under the smiles of a benign 
Providence, the more are the precepts of our Lord and Savior, 
and the authority of the God of our fathers, openly violated ; 
until, as we have every reason to fear, from the pinnacle of pros- 
perity and glory, to which the God of heaven hath exalted our 
beloved country, we shall, by our public and national sins, be 
precipitated to the abyss of irreligion and ruin." 



50 THE SABBATH. 

From Columbia County^ Geo. 

" The undersigned do earnestly solicit your honorable body to 
devise such measures, that the transportation of the mail, and 
the opening thereof, and the delivery of letters, may no longer 
be required on the Sabbath." 

From Greenshurg, Beaver County, Penn. 

" We do not ask you to put a stop to the iniquities prevailing 
in private life ; but to reform those national evils, ih^t are in 
opposition to the best interests of our country, the law of a holy 
and merciful God, to the rights of religious men, and even to 
the rights of the brute creation." 

From Rockingham County, N. C 

" The undersigned do view the practice of the Postoffice es- 
tablishment, relating to the conveyance of the mails on the Sab- 
bath, as a grievance, which we think to be contrary to the laws 
of Sacred Writ, as well as contrary to the intent and meaning of 
the laws of the United States : We therefore solicit most hum- 
bly of the honorable Congress a redress of the aforesaid griev' 
ance.^^ 

From William E. Channing and others, Boston* 

" This application, we trust, will not be misunderstood. We 
do not ask Congress to enforce any season, or form, of public wor- 
ship. We should deprecate, as among the greatest evils, any 
legislation intended to favor the views of a sect, or to establish a 
particular faith. We only pray, that Congress may not counter^ 
act, hy its measures, those institutions which are cherished by 
the community, as the means of public and private virtue." 

From Albion, Maine. 
" Your memorialists must confess, that they have a personal 
interest in the subject to which they are soliciting the attention 
of Congress. They not only wish to preserve their families and 
friends from the contagion of a bad example, and of an allowed, 
customary disregard and contempt of an invaluable institution ; 



SUNDAY BIAILS. 51 

but they are also persuaded, that for national deviations from 
right, emanating from the Government, a present national retri- 
bution is to be apprehended, inasmuch as the future reckoning is 
for individuals, and not for states ; and such public retributory 
judgment must fall upon the people^ and must he home by your 
memorialists in common with others." 

From Rowan County, N. C. 
" Your memorialists consider the practice of transporting and 
opening the mail on the Sabbath, contrary to the fourth 
COMMAND IN THE DECALOGUE ; and that the continuance and in- 
crease of our happiness depend on our obedience to the laws of 
God:' 

From Trenton, N, /. 

^' The practice of opening the Postoffice of the United States, 
on the Sabbath day, is, in the opinion of your memorialists, a vio- 
lation of the Divine commandment, injurious in its effects on the 
public morals, and unsupported by any plea of public necessity 
or convenience ; while it gives just offence to the principles and 
feelings of the Christian community." 

From Jersey City. 
" The memorialists do not think it will be expected of them 
to reply at length to the arguments used in defence of transport- 
ing and opening mails on the Sabbath, and the delivery of letters 
and newspapers at Postofhces ; as the honorable bodies addressed 
will at once perceive, that an entire suspension of secular busi- 
ness on that day would operate impartially on the whole com- 
munity ; that experience demonstrates that the rest of one day 
in seven conduces alike to a vigorous prosecution of business and 
to a healthy moral tone ; and that the whole array of arguments 
in favor of breaking the Sabbath is answered by the solemn 
truth, that the violations of this holy day are contrary to the laws 
of God, and detrimental to the physical, civil, and moral good of 
the people." 

Many petitions, from all parts of the Union, were couched in 
the same language. 



52 THE SABBATH. 

From Sale?n, Mass. 
*' Believing, as your petitioners do, that the practice above- 
mentioned is a direct infringement of the Divine laii\ and its ex- 
istence is inconsistent v^ith the character, and a reproach to the 
name of a Christian people; that its tendency is to subvert the 
institutions of religion, by lessening that respect for them which 
ought ever to be felt and inculcated ; that it exerts a pernicious 
and demoralizing influence upon the community at large, by 
encouraging, and, in effect, inviting their attention to secular 
concerns on the Sabbath, to the neglect, and even the exclusion 
of the appropriate duties of the day ; that, as an open violation 
of an express command of the Supreme Lawgiver, it must be 
offensive in his sight, and may lead to such a general deprava- 
tion of manners, as to cause him to withdraw from us that 
abounding goodness and favor which he has hitherto vouchsafed 
to us as a nation ; and that, from all these considerations, it calls 
loudly for correction and redress ; — they repeat their most 
earnest and respectful request," &:c. 

This form of petition also was much used. 

From Spartanhurgh District^ S. C. 

'* While the arm of Jehovah is lifted for our defence, no ene- 
my can subdue us, or impair our rights. But if the supreme 
Legislature of this Union, by their act, make it necessary to 
violate the command of God, his justice will demand that ade- 
quate punishment be inflicted on our common country. His 
own law He will magnify and make honorable, by inflicting the 
sanction, er honoring those who honor it." 

From Rockhridge County, Va, 
^' Our opinion is based, not only on the firm belief that God 
claims that day for his service, but on a firm belief, that every 
nation, which generally profanes that hoty day by neglecting to 
keep it, does bring upon itself heavy judgments." 

From Hanover County, Va. 
'^ Being fully convinced that the blessing of God will be con- 



SUNDAY MAILS. 53 

ferred on that nation which obeys his laws, and that punish- 
ment will be inflicted on the disobedient, we have, with much 
concern, seen in the PostofEce Department, that the Sabbath, a 
day which God hath commanded to he kept holy^ is broken and 
profaned." 

From Westmoreland County^ Va, 

" We view with deep regret the public violation of the Sab- 
bath, in transporting and opening the mail on that day. We 
regard the command to keep the Sabbath holy, binding upon na- 
tions, as well as individuals. We are dependent on Divine Pro- 
vidence as a nation, and cannot expect the blessing of God, 
while we act in opposition to his requirements." 

From Newburyport, Mass. 

" But, more than all, by these means, an explicit command of 
God is violated, and the authority of the Lawgiver set at 
naught, and his righteous displeasure incurred, not against in- 
dividuals only, who are the immediate transgressors, but also 
against the community and government, which authorizes or 
suffers such wickedness." 

From Rensselaer County, N. Y. 

" With a few unworthy exceptions, were the question for the 
observance of the Sabbath put to the citizens of the United 
States, it would be unanimously carried in the affirmative. Why 
then should this public evil of which we complain, which tends to 
destroy the observance of the Sabbath, and to disturb those who 
do observe it, be supported by Government ?" 

From St. Lawrence County, N. Y. 

" The toleration, or rather establishment, by the law of the 
land, of this work and labor on the Sabbath, has long been de- 
plored by a vast majority, it is believed, of the Christian com- 
munity." 

From the City of Boston. 

" As a people, the inhabitants of the United States, if they 

5* 



54 THE SABBATH. 

were all to speak their minds, would demand the preservation of 
the Sabbath. They have the deepest mterest in demanding it ; 
for if all the restraints of religion were removed, our national 
prosperity and our political freedom would soon depart, to re- 
turn no more. But what could not be done directly, and at 
once, may be done gradually, and too effectually, if the Sabbath 
should be secularized." 

From, Philadelphia. 

" That the recognition of the Sabbath, in all the institutions 
of the country, as is shown in the usages of Congress and of our 
coTHts of justice, in the execution of the laws, &c., and the pecu- 
liar sanction with which it is guarded by our State laws, induce 
your memorialists to hope that the exception to the general 
observance of a day of rest, which is found in the Postoffice De- 
partment, and which is but of recent practice, will receive the 
attention of Congress." 

From Bedford County, Tenn. 

" We rejoice that the sacred institutions of religion are so 
generally respected by the laws of our highly favored country ; 
yet we regret that the Sabbath, which is the holy of the Lord, 
and honorable, is, by the authority of the rulers of our nation, 
violated in one important case ; we mean the mail and Post- 
office Department. 

''The laws of our happy countiy, (that is, the laws of the 
several States,) say, ' No work shall he done o?i the Sabbath, by 
persons of any class,'' — yet the law to which we refer says, that 
' carriers of mails, postmasters, and clerks, shall work on that 
holy day.' " 

From John Cotton Smith and others. Conn, 

*' Your petitioners have long perceived, with the deepest re- 
gret, that the attempts of the State authorities to enforce the 
due observance of the Sabbath have been greatly obstructed, if 
not defeated, by persons acting under authority derived from 
the Postoffice Department. If the General Government actually 
possesses the right thus practically to annul a salutary law of 



SUNDAY MAILS. 55 

the several States, and one which is founded upon the Divine 
CoMBiAND, it is hoped, that at least a spirit of comity and con- 
ciliation will prevent its further exercise. 

" But your petitioners presume, that no such right is claimed 
by the national legislature, believing, as they do, that no such 
right exists. Surely no express authority to contravene the in- 
junction of the Supreme Lawgiver will be found in the national 
charter ; and none is given by implication, unless we admit the 
preposterous conclusion, that the people of these States, so highly 
distinguished by the favor of the Almighty, have intentionally 
sanctioned the violation of his laws. Persuaded, as your peti- 
tioners are, that the regulations of the General Postoffice, re- 
quiring mails to be transported and opened on the Lord's day, is 
alike unnecessary and unauthorized, and confiding in the wisdom 
and piety of the Congress of the United States, they do most 
respectfully and earnestly entreat, that a prompt and effectual 
remedy may be provided for the evil of which they, in common 
with all the reflecting portion of our fellow citizens, have just 
reason to complain." 

From Washington County, Pa, 

*" ^ "If these things are true, have we not reason to depre- 
cate the judgments of heaven upon our nation, because of the 
extent to which this offence is practiced, under the pretence of 
Postoffice regulations, which are repugnant to the laws of the 
Supreme Grovernor, and to the municipal enactments of every 
State in the Union, 

" Your memorialists would respectfully inquire, upon what 
pretext is the law of God thus disregarded, and his sovereignty 
thus insulted ?" 

From Bedford, West Chester County, N, Y, 

" The religious freedom secured by the Constitution to every 
citizen, is infringed by a law that offends the consciences of 
multitudes, and exacts from Postmasters and others services for- 
bidden by the religion which most of them profess." 



56 THE SABBATH. 

From the City of Boston. 

" We rejoice in the principles of universal religious toleration 
on which our General Government is founded ; and we would 
by no means desire that Congress should ever have the constitu- 
tional power of interfering in matters of religion. All that we 
request is, that the powers of the Government^ given for good 
and legitimate objects, should not be used to weaken the influ- 
ence of religion, and thus deprive us oj the valuable privileges 
transmitted to us by our ancestors.'^'' 

From Bedford County, Tenn. 

" We humbly conceive these things ought not so to be, and 
trust that while we as a nation feel ourselves so highly indebt- 
ed to the Giver of all good, you, in your wisdom, will say, 
' Henceforward there shall be, in the mail department, no in- 
fringement of the sacred claims of the day of God.' " 

From Winnsboro, Fairfield District, S. C. 

" It is admitted that virtue is essential to the existence of a 
free government, and civil institutions ; that dissipation of mo- 
rals, if it become general, would soon shake the foundation o^ 
our national edifice, and sweep away our civil privileges. As 
the Sabbath is the grand instrument of giving tone and direction 
to morals, its strict observance we regard as all-important to 
sustain the civil liberties of our country." 

jProm the Postmaster at Otter Bridge, Bedford County, Va., 
and vicinity, 

" Your memorialists would beg leave to suggest, that the sta- 
bility and prosperity of our happy government depend, in a great 
measure, on the intelligence, morality, and virtue of the people • 
that religion exalteth a nation ; that sin is a reproach .to any 
people ; and that it is the direct way to call down the vengeance 
of heaven, when human laws are made to violate the laws of 
God." 



SUNDAY MAILS. 57 

From Wm. jB. Channing and others^ Boston, 

" We regard the institutions of religion as important means 
of promoting that piety and virtue, on which the security of our 
rights and liberties chiefly depends ; and we cannot but hope, 
that the sanction of government will not be given to measures, 
which threaten to impair their salutary influence." 

From the City of Boston. 

" Your memorialists would respectfully remind your honor- 
able bodies, that the whole current of history and observation is 
in favor of the influence of the Sabbath upon the temporal pros- 
perity of communities ; that wherever this day has been conse- 
crated to religious instruction, and to the duties of public and 
private worship, the people have been distinguished for industry^ 
peaceable habits, and especially for that intelligence and per- 
sonal virtue, that sense of justice, of individual rights, and of the 
responsibility of rulers and private men to the Sovereign Ruler 
of all, lohich are essential to the existence of a free government J''^ 

From Perry County^ Ohio. 

" Your memorialists represent, that the proper observance of 
the Sabbath, is no less a matter of sound policy^ than of true 
piety ; that good and pious men are scandalized by the growing 
disregard of such wise observance ; and that the transportation 
and opening of the mails on that day have a direct tendency to 
destroy, in the minds of men, that piety and morality, so neces- 
saiy to be cherished by a republican people." 

From Atwater, Portage County^ Ohio. 

" The undersigned, deeply solicitous for the welfare of our be- 
loved country, and for the continued enjoyment and higher pos- 
session of that liberty, which constitutes her most distinguished 
characteristic ; and fully believing that an encouragement to the 
due observance of the Christian Sabbath, in all the laws of our 
land, is essential to the proper security of her liberties, beg leave 
to present the following memorial, respectfully and earnestly 
soliciting your attention, as the constituted guardians of our re- 



58 THE SABBATH. 

public, to what we consider an evil, tending to the subversion 
oi her freedom^ her i?iterests, and her happiness ; besides operat- 
ing, in some measure at least, as a present infringement upon 
the liberties of a portion of our fellow citizens." 

From Ira David, Postmaster, and others, Vt. 

" The observance of the commandment of God to keep holy 
the Sahhath day, we consider as necessary to national as to in- 
dividual prosperity." 

From Huntington County, Penn. 

" We believe these practices [transporting and opening the 
mail,] to be injurious to the morals of a free people, and danger- 
ous in their influence on the civil institutions of our country ; 
that, in a Christian land, where the government of God is re- 
cognized, the observance of this day should be held sacred ; and 
that the extensive violation of it, involves the destruction of civil 
liberty, and is contrary to the laws of God, and detrimental to 
the physical, civil, and moral good of the people." 

From Lisbon, Conn, 

" We believe morality and religion to be essential to the wel- 
fare of our republic ; and that neither of them can remain se- 
cure, without a due observance of the Christian Sabbath." 

From Greensburgh, Beaver County, Penn. 

" The good sense of nations has taught them, that the re- 
straints imposed by religion are all necessary to curb the pas- 
sions and regulate the morals of society. By the Sabbath an 
opportunity is aff"orded to ministers to preach — to the people 
generally to hear the precepts of religion — and all to worship 
God. The Sabbath and its institutions seem to be appointed 
for, and admirably adapted to, preparing the human family for 
a future state of being." 

From Northumberland County, Penn. 

" We deem the Christian Sabbath a blessing to mankind ; — 
a most effectual purifier of the public morals, enlightener of the 



I 



SUNDAY MAILS. ,59 

public mind, guardian of the public safety, and promoter of pub- 
lic prosperity ; that, therefore, its due observance, according to 
the holy Scriptures, will call forth Divine favor upon the nation, 
whilst, on the other hand, its profanation must be followed by 
expressions of Divine wrath." 

From the City of New-York. 

* # u y^Q would hope, too, that the members of our govern- 
ment, by their conspicuous example, in this regard, by their 
cogent arguments in the halls of legislation, and by their mani- 
festation of a sacred regard for the Sabbath, in all the arrange- 
ments of business at the seat of government, in the army and 
the navy, in all the public offices, and upon the highways of our 
land, will exert a powerful influence in checking the immoral- 
ities named, and in protecting an institution which is more effi- 
cacious in perpetuating the blessings of a free government^ than 
the best laws ever framed by the wisdom of man." 

From the City of Philadelphia. 

" Your memorialists would represent, that in the rest from 
labor, which the Sabbath enjoins, the comfort and health of man 
are promoted ; and by the devotion of a set time to the contem- 
plation of our condition as moral and responsible beings, the vir- 
tue and intelligence of the community are most certainly ad- 
vanced, and thereby the prosperity and liberties of the country 
are secured." 

From Merchants of the City of Baltimore. 

" Without entering at all into the imperative nature of the 
obligation which requires of Christians to observe this day as 
sacredly set apart and appropriated to religious observances, we 
may urge, in favor of the prayer of the memorialists, the general 
usefulness of the institution ; a fact attested by common observ- 
ation, and universally admitted by persons of every religious 
persuasion. A proper observance of the Sabbath greatly tends 
to promote and strengthen moral habits, and, in a variety of 
ways, to letter the general condition of society ; and, unques- 



60 THE SABBATH. 

tionably, the promotion of these objects is, or ought to be, the 
great end of human legislation.^^ 

From Washington County^ Md. 

" The experience of individuals proves, that it is their true in- 
terest to obey the divine precept, and rest from business on the 
Sabbath ; and we are fully persuaded that the national welfare 
will be promoted by discontinuing the practice of transporting 
and opening mails, and delivering letters, on that day." 

From the City of Boston. 

" Your memorialists regard the institution of the Sabbath as 
one of the most striking proofs of the divine beneficence, and as 
affording the only adequate means for preserving the fear of 
God, the sanctity of oaths, genuine personal integrity, the public 
morals, and our civil and political privileges. Though there are 
too many in our land, who practically disregard the Sabbath ; 
yet, it is believed, there are few who would willingly see that 
sacred day abolished." 

From Boonshorough and vicinity^ Washington County^ Md. 

" The transportation and opening of the mail, and the delive- 
ry of letters and newspapers from Postoffices on the Lord's day, 
are practices injurious to the morals, and to the civil and reli- 
gious institutions of our country." 

From Berkshire County, Mass. 

'* "We believe the good sense of a vast majority of this nation 
desire a suspension of labor on the Sabbath; and as the other 
offices of government are closed on that day, we see no reason 
why the Postoffice should not likewise be closed." 

From Elizahethtown, N. J. 

*^ Your memorialists would state, that the laws, which require 
the opening of Postoffices, &c., on the Sabbath, have, in their in- 
fluence, an exceedingly demoralizing effect upon the community ; 
and that they are contrary to the feelings of a large and increas- 
ing portion of this nation." 



SUNDAY MAILS. 61 

From Spotsylvania County^ Va, 

" The undersigned cannot but regard the transportation and 
opening of the mails on the Lord's day as injurious to the morals 
of the community, and as a violation of that rest, which all who 
recognize the authority of the New Testament not only feel it 
their duty to observe, but the observance of which they consider 
a glorious privilege." 

From James M, Garnett, and others, Va, 

" Human passions are quite sufficient, of themselves, without 
any legal pretext or encouragement, to cause many more viola- 
tions of the Sabbath, than human laws can prevent." 

From Accomac County, Va, 

" The undersigned have, for a long time, viewed with sorrow, 
the demoralizing effect produced by the transportation and open- 
ing of the mail on the Sabbath, as well in this county, as in other 
parts." 

From Edenhurgh, Ohio. 

"Your petitioners, believing the profanation of the Sabbath a 
general and growing evil in our happy country, and fully per- 
suaded that this evil is perpetuated by the transportation and 
opening of the public mails on that day, — humbly pray, that you, 
who are, under Providence, intrusted with the affairs of the 
nation," &c. 

From the City of New York. 

" Your memorialists beg leave respectfully to represent, — 
That the transportation and opening of mails, and the delivery of 
letters and newspapers from Postoffices on the Lord's day, are 
practices injurious to the morals, and consequently dangerous in 
their influences upon the civil institutions of this country." 

From the City of Boston. 

" Your memorialists are fully convinced, that the transporta- 
tion of the mail on the Sabbath, and the opening of Postoffices 
6 



62 THE SABBATH. 

on that day, operate constantly and powerfully to bring the Sab- 
bath itself into neglect and contempt; that these causes are more 
difficult to be limited and concentrated by the true friends of 
their country, than any other, if not than all other, causes com- 
bined ; and that no remedy can be found, unless the national 
authority shall interpose to correct the evil." 

From the Grand Jury of Washington County^ Penn. 

" The violation of the Sabbath, by the running of the mail 
stages on that day, is considered by all pious and reflecting per- 
sons as an insult to Almighty God, and as likely to produce a 
great corruption of public morals, unless the practice is speedily 
reformed." 

From Sharon, Conn. 

" Your petitioners deem it unnecessary to repeat the argu- 
ments and motives so forcibly urged in the New York memorial, 
for the suppression of a practice which has become most alarm- 
ing in its extent ; and which, if suffered to continue, must, as 
they verily believe, draw down the sorest visitations of Heaven 
upon our country." 

From the State of New York. 

" Your memorialists have witnessed this increasing immorali- 
ty with deep regret and solicitude, and they are constrained to 
believe that it is in vain for the friends of good order to attempt 
to protect this holy day from desecration, while the government 
allows the mails to be carried on Sundays, and requires the Post- 
masters to deliver letters, papers, and packets ' on every day of 
the week.' We feel that we have a right to look to the govern- 
ment of our country for example ; and that those, whom the 
people have clothed with power, will not permit a practice which 
is continually undermining the morals, and consequently endan- 
gering the liberties of the nation." 

From the City of Boston. 

" The undersigned would respectfully represent, that the 
transportation of the mail on the Sabbath, and the opening of 



SXJNDAY MAILS. 63 

the Postoffices on that day are great 'public evils^ in no sense 
necessary, and not counterbalanced by any supposed convenience 
arising from them." 

From Washington County^ Penn. 

" Your memorialists beg leave also to appeal to your own ob- 
servation, as statesmen and legislators, to sustain us, v^hen we 
assert, that the disregard and breach of the Fourth Command- 
ment is generally the first inroad to crime ; and that moral de- 
linquency, in any country, increases in a ratio with the profana- 
tion of the day." 

From Washingtoii County^ Ala, 

" When we reflect on the number of persons employed in dis- 
charging the various duties relative to Postoffices, such as Post- 
masters, deputies, clerks, mail-carriers, &c., we cannot but regret 
that the subject has not, long since, met the attention of the 
American public. We heartily concur in the efforts which are 
making to restore to Postmasters, &c., the privilege, which, 
under the present regulations, is denied to them.^ and which we 
believe it to be the right of every person in America to enjoy." 

From Telfair County^ Geo, 

" Those citizens [Postmasters, &c.] are compelled to follow 
their daily vocation, in violation of the law of God, while all 
other citizens are, by the laws of G-od as well as of man, espe- 
cially forbidden thus to violate that consecrated day." 

From Callaway County^ Ky. 

" While every other grade and order of the people of this 
Union are permitted a cessation from toil during the Sabbath, yet 
the persons engaged in this national affair, [the Postoffice De- 
partment,] are compelled to drive on without intermission." 

From Washington County, Ky. 

*' We pray your honorable body so to change the laws regu- 
lating the Postoffice establishment, as, in time of peace, (at all 
events), to prohibit the transporting of mails and the opening of 



64 THE SABBATH. 

Postoffices on the Sabbath, and thereby afford to that portion of 
our fellow-citizens, [Postmasters, fee] the enjoyment of this 
rest, which is a 'privilege guarantied to every human being by 
the laAvsof God." 

From Elkton, Todd County, Ky, 

" Your memorialists would urge, that nothing short of inevita- 
ble necessity can justify the imposition of such labor upon so 
many officers throughout the Union; an imposition which is ex- 
tended to 710 other body of men in our country." 

From the vicinity of Mt. Tirzah Postoffice, N. C. 

" The attention which Postmasters and their clerks are obliged 
to pay to their respective offices on the Sabbath, is a violation of 
the laws of God and our country. All other officers of our gov- 
ernment are exempt from performmg labor on that day." 

From Kent Island^ Queen Anrt's County, Md. 

" The petitioners regret exceedingly the existence of a law re- 
quiring the transportation and opening of mails, [opening only,] 
and the delivery of letters on the Sabbath day. By this law a 
large and respectable body of our fellow-citizens are deprived of 
an opportunity of necessary repose from their daily avocations, 
and are likewise prevented the use of the customary means of 
spiritual and intellectual improvement." 

From Merchants of Baltimore, 

" It will, moreover, be admitted, that in no department under 
the direction of the Genera] Government, is it more necessary 
that the agents employed should possess the highest degree of 
moral feeling, and the strictest integrity, than in the Postoffice 
establishment. It cannot, therefore, be wise in the government, 
to deprive, by its own regulations, those, who are charged with 
the important trusts of this department, of those means and op- 
portunities for social and religious improvement, which are, by 
common consent, acknowledged so eminently to contribute to 
the knowledge and practice of all the moral duties." 



SUNDAY MAILS. 65 

From Washington County^ Md. 

*' An arrangement of the kind suggested would very much 
meliorate the situation of deputy Postmasters throughout the 
Union, by guarantying to them the privilege^ common to every 
other citizen, of spending the Sabbath in the public v^orship of 
their God, or in retirement and rest." 

From Trenton, N. J. 

" Your memorialists are not aware of aDy reasons which can 
recommend this departure from the practice of the government, 
in regard to all the other 'public offices. It did not prevail in the 
earlier years of the republic, and was not adopted, it is believed, 
in consequence of representations from those whose interest, or 
convenience, is supposed to be promoted by it." 

From Chester District, S. C. 

" A large body of our best and most respectable citizens have 
long considered the transporting and opening the mail on the 
Sabbath a serious grievance ; and that portion of our citizens, 
whose business it is, by law, to attend to the labors of the Post- 
office on the Sabbath, are doomed to such unequal burdens 
and privations, as should not be exacted from any portion of our 
citizens." 

From Spartanburg District, S. C. 

" Justice, in behalf of a numerous, influential, and valuable 
class of public officers, pleads for an exemption from official duties 
on the Lordh day. Some, from an untiring attention to the duties 
of their office, on the Sabbath day, have not been to the house of 
God for years. Again, such a regulation, as your memorialists 
ask for, would promote the general interests of the mail depart- 
ment, in the best possible manner. It would mvite many to act 
as Postmasters, and to serve as carriers, who are now effect- 
ually barred from those places by the fear of offending God." 

From Blairsville and vicinity, York District, S, C, 

** Having long been impressed with the evil and impropriety 

6^ 



66 THE SABBATH. 

of the transportation and opening of the mail on the Sabbath, 
we, your memorialists do pray, that, during the present session, 
a law may be passed to guaranty to the Postmasters and their 
clerks those privileges, which are enjoyed by all the other officers 
under government, and which, by the laws of God, are not de- 
nied to any human being." 

From Augustus Fitzhugh and others, citizens of King George 
County, Va, 

" In all Christian countries the Sabbath is a day of rest, and 
set apart for religious worship ; and your memorialists can see 
no necessity, especially in time of peace, for profaning it, by 
keeping at labor so many persons as the Postoffice Department 
requires. Besides, all the other offices under government are 
closed on that day ; and it seems unreasonable, that the Post- 
office alone should be kept open.^'' 

From, Norfolk, Conn. 

" By the recent report of the Postmaster-General, we perceive 
that the services of about 27,000 persons are put in requisition, 
in the various branches of this Department. A large proportion 
of these are compelled to attend to this business on the Sabbath, 
or resign their posts. In addition to the personal hardship and 
injury to these individuals, their example, dispersed as they are 
throughout the nation, and acting under the high sanction of 
Government, must be very baneful. We see no cause to jus- 
tify this arrangement; for the plea of necessity appears no more 
specious than in the case of men's common avocations. By the 
Sabbath labors of these many thousands of men, we have our 
letters occasionally a day or two sooner. Similar calculations 
might be made of the results of labor, in any other useful occu- 
pation. We are therefore compelled to consider this in the light 
of a great national sin against the God of all our mercies, for 
which we have reason to fear his righteous indignation. We 
are unwilling thus to be accommodated, in violation of the laws 
of God, and to the prejudice of the best interests of our beloved 
country. We also apprehend, that the present regulations have 
a direct tendency to consign the very responsible charge of the 



SUNDAY MAILS. 67 

mail to the hands of men who fear not God nor regard moral 
obligation. Already has the mail been frequently plundered by 
those to whom it was confided." 

From the City of New York. 

" While the mails are transported on the first day of the week, 
there will be much unnecessary traveling, the Postoffices will 
be opened, the news-rooms thronged, workmen employed in 
printing offices, expresses sent in various directions, and the 
attention of large portions of the community withdrawn from a 
becoming reverence of the day, to be occupied in secular con- 
cerns. Your memorialists deem it unnecessary to urge upon 
the Congress of the United States the obligation of observing 
the Lord's day, of protecting the people in their religious privi- 
leges, and of the baneful consequences of practices which, under 
the sanction of Government, are an apology for every other vio- 
lation of the Sallath ly individuals. They may, however, be 
permitted to state, that the government of God is recognized in 
this Christian land; that the observance of the Lord's day is 
enjoined by divine authority, and that history furnishes abundant 
evidence, that a general disregard of it involves the destruction 
of civil liberty." 

From Ryegate^ Vermont, 

" The subscribers have long witnessed with regret the pro- 
fanation of the Lord's day by the transportation of the mail. 
The thoughtless, who are always too careless of improving 
sacred time, are tempted; the pious are grieved; travelers in 
stages must forego the privileges of the sanctuary, or lose their 
passage ; innkeepers and villages are disturbed by the arrival of 
the mail." 

From Westmoreland County^ Penn, 

" The transportation and opening of the mail, and the delivery 
of letters on the. Sabbath, are viewed by your memorialists as 
an evil, tending to the neglect of an institution the observance 
of which is necessary to permanent good order and morality, and, 
of course, to the permanent prosperity of the people ; — an evil 



68 THE SABBATH. 

tending to encourage travelings and the transportation of mer^ 
chandize on the Sabbath, insomuch that, in many places, the 
worshipers of God are greatly annoyed, in passing to and from 
their places of worship; — and tending, moreover, to draw down 
upon our beloved country the judgments of Heaven." 

From Merchants of Baltimore, 

" As merchants, we are, perhaps, more interested in the fa- 
cilities afforded by the mail, than any other members of the 
community. We believe that the inconveniences which would 
result from the regulations prayed for would be very inconsider- 
able ; and were they greater than we anticipate, we are sure 
they would be more than counterbalanced by the benefits which 
would accrue to the community from a due observance of the 
Sabbath." 

From Caroline County^ Md, 

" The Postoffice in London is never open on Sundays, and 
there seems to us no necessity that Postoffices in this country 
should be opened on that day, especially in time of peace." 

From Trenton, N. J, 

'J I^-JLondon, the greatest commercial city in the world, the 
Postoffice is not op^ed, nor any mail made up on Sunday ; from 
which it may be inferred, that it is not necessary for the conve- 
nience of the mercantile public." 

From Coshocton, Ohio, 

" We can see but little advantage arising to society at large, 
from transporting and opening mails on the Sabbath ; and that 
this practice is a great evil, is acknowledged by many who are 
engaged in it, and felt deeply by others." 

From Bridgehampton, L. L 

" The example of the first commercial city in Europe, in 
which the Postoffice is never opened during the Sabbath, affords 
strong presumptive evidence that the practice is wholly unneces- 
sary, as respects the commercial interests of our country." 



SUNDAY MAILS. 69 

From Strasiurg, Lancaster Counts/, Penn. 

'^ Moreover, the indulgence granted to mail coaches to pursue 
their daily vocation on that day, holds forth a demoralizing pre- 
cedent to the citizens of the United States. Many teamsters, 
disposed to commit breaches of the Sabbath, by transporting 
merchandize on that day, plead, in justification of their conduct, 
to be entitled to the same privileges as those which mail coaches 
enjoy." 

From Chester County, Penn. 

" Many, who habitually violate the Lord's day, plead the 
example of the Posioffice as an apology." 

From the vicinity of Agnewh Mills, Penn* 

" The command of God, and the welfare of our country, re- 
quire that you should make no law which lays the burden of 
breaking the Sabbath upon inferior officers ; that from the foun- 
tain head of the public good, no stream should be sent forth to 
desolate our comfort, our intelligence, our morals, our liberties, 
and our religion." 

V From Windsor, Conn, 

P " "We believe we have a right to look to the Government of 
our country for example — and we trust that Congress will not 
suffer a practice which continually undermines the morals of 
the community." 

■ From Philadelphia. 

" That the direct effect of the present regulations in the Post- 
office Department, together with the influence of an example ori- 
ginating with the Government, tends greatly to the general pro- 
fanation of an institution with which the best interests of our 
country are connected, and leads to numerous breaches of the 
good order and peace of society." 

From Atwater, Portage County, Ohio. 
P " The religious assemblies of citizens, peaceably convened for 



70 THE SABBATH. 

the worship of God on that day, are in many places disturbed, 
and the weight of national example and encouragement is given 
to the cause of vice and irreligion. ^ "^ Regarding the subject in 
a political point of view, we apprehend that those feelings of 
reverence for the Sabbath, which exist in the minds of the more 
virtuous part of the community, have too serious a bearing 
upon the stability and perpetuity of our free institutions, to be 
discouraged and eradicated by legislative enactments. Such, we 
think, to a very great extent, is the tendency of that law, which 
■requires the secular business respecting the mail for this whole 
country, to be transacted on that day, in some measure at least, 
as on other days of the week." 

From Elkton, Todd County, Ky. 

" The demoralizing effect of withdrawing so many officers 
from exercises peculiar to the day ; — the allurements held out to 
our citizens to gather around the offices and engage in political 
discussion ; — the influence of governmental example, in giving a 
sanction to the violation of the Sabbath ; — together with many 
other similar considerations, cannot have escaped the attention 
of your honorable body." 

These extracts are closed by the insertion of the following cir- 
cular, adopted by inhabitants of Nashville, Tennessee, and ad- 
dressed to gentlemen in different parts of the State. The mem- 
bers of the committee, it is said, are of the first respectability, 
and belong to different denominations of Christians. It is be- 
lieved that one of them was Mr. Grundy, the present United 
States' Attorney, who was one of the Committee on Postoffices 
and Postroads in the Senate when the author's petition was pre- 
sented to the second session of the twenty-fifth Congress — which 
committee made no report. 

" Nashville, Dec. 29, 1828. 

" Gentlemen — As a committee appointed by a meeting lately 

held in this city, we ask your serious attention to the subject of 

the enclosed memorial. We feel a deep and solemn conviction 

that the dictates of a wise public policy, as well as a just sense of 



SUNDAY MAILS. 71 

religious duty^ require that every discreet and temperate effort 
should be made to induce the Government of the United States 
to amend the laws regulating the Postoffice Department, so as 
to prevent the transportation and opening of mails, and the de- 
livery of letters, newspapers, and packages, on the day which is 
almost universally acknowledged in our country as the Christian 
Sabbath. 

" We, therefore, in compliance with the duty enjoined on us, 
earnestly solicit your prompt co-operation in procuring signatures 
to the enclosed memorial, from as many persons of virtuous 
character as you can ; and that you forward, your memorials, 
when signed, with as little delay as possible, by mail, to such 
member of Congress as you may deem proper. 
*' Very respectfully, your obedient servants, 
William Carroll, John Nichol, 

Francis B. Fogg, Alpha Kingsley, 

D. B. Hayes, Nathan Ewing, 

F. Grundy, Joseph Litton, 

Moses Norvell, John Price, 

M. Watson, R. Weakley, 

William McCombs, Jesse Wharton, 

Robert H. McEwen, H. R. W. Hill, 

Hugh Elliot, N. A. McNaires." 

CHARACTER AND OBJECTS OF THE MEMORIALISTS. 

" It is well known, that the memorialists are among all denomi- 
nations of Christians, among the most respectable merchants in 
our large cities, and the most eminent divines, civilians, and 
statesmen that our country can boast. Nor can we refrain from 
briefly stating here their object, and some of the reasons on 
which they foxmd their appeal. 

1. Their object is simple, and worthy of all commendation. 
They wish to rescue the Sabbath from its growing profanations ; 
and for this purpose they ask Congress, not indeed to enforce its 
observance, but merely to abstain from abetting its violation by 
their laws, and to cause, or at least permit it, to be respected in 
the Postoffice Department, as it has ever been, in all the legisla- 



72 THE SABBATH. 

tive, judicial, and executive departments of our State and na- 
tional governments. 

2. It is obviously within the Constitutional power of Congress 
to grant this simple request. The Constitution does not require 
them to profane the Sabbath either in person or by proxy ; and 
surely they are at liberty, if they choose, to cease from encour- 
aging and even forcing a large number of our citizens to violate 
it by the transportation of mails, and the opening of Postoffices 
on that day. ^ * 

3. The Memorialists consider it altogether unnecessary to 
transport the mail, and deliver letters on the Sabbath. This 
practice was scarcely known during our early history, and the 
period of our greatest prosperity. ^ * 

4. The present practice seems, even as a part of our financial 
system, to be of very doubtful expediency. It may indeed be 
doubted whether it does not incur a loss rather than insure a 
saving of time, labor, and money. * * 

7. The Memorialists also think that Congress ought, in just- 
ice to individuals and the several States, to discontinue the Sab- 
bath mails. A large number of our countrymen have made 
great personal efforts, and nearly every State has enacted laws, 
to preserve the Sabbath from profanation, and diffuse its bless- 
ings through the community ; but the present policy directly 
interferes with these pious and patriotic measures, and the high 
example of Congress, seen and felt throughout the land, most 
powerfully tends to defeat every plan that may be devised by 
individuals or by States to rescue this holy day from general and 
perhaps perpetual prostration. 

8. The present practice is fraught with fearful consequences 
to our political interests. =^ =^ If the same practice should be 
introduced into the other departments of government, in relation 
to the Sabbath, that exists in the Postoffice Department, the 
entire government of our nation like that of revolutionary France^ 
would be thrown into the hands of avowed or virtual infidels, 
and might be wielded with fatal efficacy to sweep away the 
last bulwark of our civil and religious liberties. ^ ^ 

10. For reasons like these, a majority of our most intelligent, 
virtuous, and respectable citizens earnestly desire, that the mail 



SUNDAY MAILS. 73 

may be stopt, and Postoffices closed, on the Sabbath. The 
wishes of such and so many citizens deserve a very respectful 
consideration. Congress may, however, refuse for the present 
to comply with their request ; but we trust the day is fast com- 
ing when the Sabbath will be so generally respected, its import- 
ance so highly appreciated, and public opinion so strongly and 
universally in its favor, that a voice, issuing from every city, and 
village, and hamlet, from Maine to Florida, from the Atlantic 
to the western wilderness, will pour upon the ear of Congress 
such notes of remonstrance as must and will be heard and 
heeded." — Note in the ''^ First Annual Report of the Lowell Sab- 
bath Union,^^ 

From the foregoing may be known the feelings and character 
of a great majority of those who were then opposed to Sunday 
mails. No candid, intelligent man will deny that they were 
among the most respectable and influential of our citizens. And 
there is no good reason to suppose that this class of men have 
experienced any change in their feelings, in respect to this evil. 



MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS IN FAVOR OF SUNDAY MAILS. 

Memorials from several sources were forwarded to Congress, 
remonstrating against a repeal of the law requiring Postmasters 
to labor on Sunday, and the enactment of a law prohibiting the 
carrying of the mail on that day. 

One from inhabitants of Portsmouth, Nev/ Hampshire ; one 
from citizens of the town of Newark, New Jersey, dated Jan. 8 
1830 ; one from residents of Philadelphia, Penn. ; one from the 
General Assembly of the State of Indiana, dated Feb. 15, 1830, 
which does not well comport with their laws against Sabbath 
desecration ; and one from inhabitants of the County of Salem, 
New Jersey, dated Jan. 20, 1830. 

Also, January 22, 1831, one from the General Assembly of the 
State of Alabama. (See the laws of this State against labor on 
Sunday.) January 31, 1831, one from citizens of Kentucky ; 
February 14, 1831, one from the General Assembly of the State 
of Illinois; (see also the Sabbath law of this State,) and one, 
February 24, 1831, from citizens of Windham County, Vermont. 
7 



74 THE SABBATH. 

It is sufficiently paiaful, even to read over these remonstrances, 
without making extracts from them. Some are counterparts of 
R. M. Johnson's Reports ; and can, by no consistent Christian, 
be supposed to deserve more respect, because of their unfairness 
and abuse, and the anti-Christian spirit which they manifest. 
That a St,ate Legislature^ professing to be governed by laws 
enacted, or sanctioned and enforced by penalties which them- 
selves have fixed, should memorialize Congress to do the things, 
in their territory and throughout the nation, which they, by ex- 
press statute, had forbidden to be done, is not a little surprising. 

Hence we see the folly as well as danger of appointing those 
to legislate for the people, who have not sufficient moral prin- 
ciple and consistency of character, either to enact wise and 
wholesome laws, or to encourage the obedience of them. In- 
deed, any person who lends his influence in any way, to elevate 
to posts of honor and trust an immoral man, a Sabbath-breaker, — 
or an habitual transgressor of any good law, — is sinning against 
God and his country ; and in the judgment, will be required to 
answer for the abuse of his elective franchise. 

It is believed that even moral, exemplary men are not suffi- 
ciently aware of the responsibility devolving upon them in re- 
gard to this matter. They have not, as a general rule, given 
their suffrages, irrespective of party, political or religious, to 
men of good moral character ; nor considered themselves under 
the most solemn obligation, as doubtless they are, to vote for 
such men only as scrupulously observe all those laws which 
serve to elevate and purify the morals of a people, while they 
contribute greatly to their civil and political prosperity. 

Whenever immoral, unprincipled men are elected to make 
or administer the laws, there is a fault somewhere ; and who 
have been the occasion of this evil ? Who, at the last great 
day will be found most guilty ? It is high time, that all men 
should understand their duty in relation to this thing, and never 
again give their vote for law-breakers — unprincipled, immoral 
men ; for little or no good can be expected to result from such 
an act. And it is unwise, wicked, and dangerous to hazard, in 
this way, our most important interests. 

Many have voted for one or the other of the nominated candi- 



SUNDAY MAILS. 75 

dates, though against their better judgment and wishes, on the 
ground that the exigencies of the case not only call for their 
influence, but justify them in choosing between two e^ils. But 
this is neither right nor necessary. For whenever it is gene- 
rally known that no good, moral man, in the nation, will, under 
any circumstances, vote for an immoral man, whether his im- 
morality consist in violation of the laws of God or man, he will 
not be reduced to the alternative of supporting a dangerous man^ 
or sacrificing his vote. In that event, suitable candidates would 
every where be presented for the suffrages of the people. Thus 
we might not only avoid the judgments of heaven for this na- 
tional sin, but secure an invaluable and permanent good. Every 
Christian and every moral man is unquestionably in duty bound 
to sacrifice party views to the general good, and consequently is 
bound to vote for such candidates only, as are known to be 
friendly to pure morality and Christian institutions. How a 
professor of the religion of Jesus Christ, adopting the principles 
of that kingdom, which is righteousness and peace, can aid in 
elevating to office an opposer of that religion, and a practical 
nuUifier of its precepts, is not to our mind explicable ! He must 
first have abandoned his religion, at least in its high obligations. 

The present condition of our nation calls loudly for this reform. 
When it is effected, men in high places will not be found on 
the slightest pretext to vilify the character, and oppose the con- 
sistent and benevolent efforts of the moral, lav/-abiding part of 
the community. All opposition to such efforts arises either 
from ignorance, mistaken views, or a bad heart, a heart which 
will not be restrained in its wicked propensities and passions. 

The opposition with which good men have been called to 
contend, in their efforts to put away from this people the sin of 
Sabbath-breaking, should not, in the least, have deterred them ; 
but on the contrary, should have stimulated them to greater 
vigilance and fidelity, in their remonstrances against the law 
which requires men to violate a plain command of God. Then, 
long ere this, their prayer might have been answered, and this 
great evil have been removed from our land. 

Many of the committees who reported on this part of the Pe- 
titions, and more than one of the Postmasters-General, have ex- 



76 THE SABBATH. 

pressed an opinion that such a law was unnecessary, and recom- 
mend that it should be repealed. The Petitions of 1838 and 
1839, which were respectfully received, printed, and referred, by 
both Houses of Congress, call for nothing more, than that Con- 
gress should repeal the law requiring Postmasters to labor on 
Sunday. And should not all the good people of this nation, 
earnestly and perseveringly ask for the same thing, until their 
request is granted. 



Petition of Harmon Kingsbury, of Cleveland, Ohio, praymg 
the repeal of that part of an act of Congress regulating the 
Postofiice Department, which requires Postmasters to deliver 
letters, &c., on Sunday. 

December 12, 1837. 

Referred to the Committee on the Postofiice and Post-roads, 

and ordered to be printed. 

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States, in Congress assembled: 
Your petitioner, Harmon Kingsbury, of Cleveland, Ohio, 
Respectfully showeth : 

I come, not to ask pecuniary benefit for myself or others, 
nor to attempt to " unite Church and State,^^ as was the cry 
(unkind as it was false,) when petitions were presented to Con- 
gress against labor on Sunday, in 1829 and 1830 ; nor to ask 
Congress to lay hands on the Church or on her enemies, or to 
make a law in favor of or against any command in the Bible ; 
but I come to ask a nation's blessing; and, in behalf of the long- 
injured and much-desecrated Christian Sabbath, to implore Con- 
*gress to take off those hands already laid upon the Church, in 
the act requiring labor on that day, which has well nigh driven 
the institution from our country ; in a word, to repeal a part of 
section 9, in an act passed April, 1810, and re-enacted March, 
1825, section 11, regulating the Postofiice establishment, which 
is in these words, viz : " And it shall be the duty of the Post- 
master, at all reasonable hours, on every day of the week^ to de- 
liver, on demand, any letter, paper, or packet, to the person en- 
titled to or authorized to receive the same;" that the institutions 



SUNDAY MAELS. 77 

of religion, in future, may be left as the Constitution left them, 
unaided and un trammeled by legislative enactments. I am en- 
couraged, in presenting this memorial, by the reflection that I 
am addressing patriots, republicans, and Christians ; those who 
desire a nation's blessings and the best interests of their constitu- 
ents, as much as any petitioner can desire them ; and also that 
-party distinctions^ heretofore existing, can have nothing to do 
in decidiog this question. It cannot be a party question^ unless 
Christianity and anti- Christianity be the dividing lines, which 
Grod grant may never exist in our halls of legislation. 

Your petitioner is not alone in his prayer on this subject ; but 
it is believed that nine-tenths of your moral, intelligent, influen- 
tial, respectable, and peaceful constituents, among whom are 
many who do not believe in the Christian religion, seeing the 
deleterious effects of profaning that day, would immediately 
send to your honorable body their names and their complaints, 
but for the unexpected, and, as they think, undeserved treatment 
which they received on the occasion already alluded to. And, 
though their memorials have not been renewed, they could not 
be unconcerned spectators, while the evil has been increasing 
like a mighty torrent, rolling from one end of the land to the 
other, and threatening the destruction, not only of their religion, 
but of all republican institutions. No, they could not, and can- 
not now rest, while any of their fellow-citizens are compelled to 
violate a plain and an important precept of the Bible. And is 
not now a favorable time to gratify these constituents in their 
wishes, when there is no excitement on this subject, as there 
was when the question was before Congress in 1829 and 1830 ? 

It need not be asked in this place, " Is there a Sabbath, and 
shall it be celebrated on the first day of the week ?" for the Con- 
stitution took it for granted, and Congress has always taken it 
for granted ; neither need it be inquired, " Should there be no 
law requiring its violation?" — for these are truths easily de- 
monstrated from holy writ, and from the observation of every 
competently enlightened person. 

There is a Sabbath. It is an ordinance from Heaven, lying at 
the foundation not only of the Christian religion, but of all true 
republicanism ; and is alike binding upon all men, and should 
7* 



78 THE SABBATH. 

be equally free to all. I shall not now attempt to sustain these 
positions by argument and proof, but shall also take them for 
granted. 

The framers of the Constitution^ and those who for many 
years administered it, doubtless had in their eye the first-da^y 
Sabbath and the Christian religion. They were legislating, not 
for Jews, Mohamedans, infidels, atheists, or pagans, but for 
Christians. And, believing the Christian religion the only one 
adapted to sustain and perpetuate the Government about to be 
formed, they adopted it as the basis of their infant republic. 
Reference to the following facts, (some of which were years ago 
collected by another,) it would seem, must convince any man of 
the correctness of this opinion. Yes, this nation had a religion, 
and it was the Christian religion. To meet the denial of this 
position, I adduce the following particulars ; which may be 
found more minutely stated in Objection seventh, chap. 5 — to 
which the reader is referred, viz : — Sabbath for the President— 
the delegates who adopted the Constitution kept the Christian 
Sabbath — Congressmen and others boimd by oath to support the 
Constitution — Bibles were printed by Congress to be distributed 
in this country. The designation of time, " the year of our Lord :" 
judicial courts not to sit on Sunday, and Congress adjourned over 
that day : fasts were observed : and from language then used by 
them, it would seem that they believed in special judgments, 
and that such threatenings as are recorded in Isaiah xii. 60 — 
'* For the nation and kingdom that will not serve Thee shall 
perish : yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted," would be 
fulfilled. They served God politically^ by enacting just, equal, 
and righteous laws ; such as would be best for the people, irre- 
spective of his religion, though not contrary to it. Washington 
once exclaimed, when it was told him that the British had at- 
tacked and killed a few Americans, "I mourn the loss of my 
countrymen, but rejoice that the British are determined to keep 
God on our side." 

Days for thanksgiving were appointed. Legislative bodies 
may practice the duties of the Christian religion, and recommend 
them to others, without " uniting Church and State," and mak- 
ing " test laws." Washington and the early Congresses felt 



SUNDAY BIAILS. 79 

under obligation, in order to secure God's blessing, to keep all 
his commandments contained in the Bible; among which is, 
" Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." And does any 
one believe, that they conld have been induced, as legislators^ to 
require labor on the Lord's day ? And can it be, that your as- 
sembly will consent, that national sanction and national law 
shall longer exist to encourage and compel its profanation, and 
thereby become partakers in the guilt of those who enacted it, 
as well as of those bodies which have since legislated here, and 
consented to the practice which renders this nation justly ob- 
noxious to the divine displeasure ? Is Congress willing that their 
constituents and the world should know that they refuse to re- 
peal an act requiring labor on Sunday, when nearly all the 
States in this Union, and every Christian nation on the globe, so 
far as I know, when they have said any thing on the subject, 
have forbidden it ? Certain I am, that the late King and present 
Queen of England, in their royal proclamations, put much stress 
on that day, and required its strict observance. 

Are not the voice and example of great and good men, and 
the language and spirit of the Constitution, sufficient to justify 
and encourage the repeal of the clause here complained of ? 
It is hoped they are ; and it is thought that most of the good citi- 
zens of this country believe the Sabbath essential to national 
PROSPERITY. At the time of the report, in 1830, in favor of labor 
in the mail department on Sunday, ninety-three in the House 
were in favor of printing ten thousand copies of it, and sixty- 
seven against it. Mr. McCreery, one of the committee, present- 
ed his written opinion in favor of granting the request of the pe- 
titioners. And the report of Mr. McKean, of a committee of the 
House on Sunday mail petitions, made the year before, recom- 
mends the repeal of so much of the law as requires labor on 
Sunday. All which shows that the Sabbath had not then lost 
all its friends. Permit me to make a few 

Extracts from Mr. McKean' s Report. 

" On the other branch of the case, that of Postmasters being 
compelled by law to open their offices and deliver letters, news- 
papers, &c., on the Sabbath, this committee believe it is not abso- 
lutely necessary for the successful transaction of any branch of 



80 THE SABBATH. 

business. It has been suggested, and it is believed, that the most 
disorder is occasioned by a class of individuals, not of business 
habits, and who seldom receive letters by mail, who, having 
leisure on the Sabbath, resort to the Postoffice to hear the news 
and for pastime. 

" If, as is believed, the House will concur with the committee 
in opinion that no restraint ought to be imposed on the con- 
sciences of individuals by the force of human law, it will pre- 
sent an absurdity, if we permit to remain among our legislative 
acts, an express provision requiring a portion of our citizens to 
perform certain duties on the Sabbath, which they conscientious- 
ly believe to be morally wrong. 

" The committee cannot see why it would not be equally 
proper to require by law, our courts of justice to sit on the Sab- 
bath ; and that executive and legislative duties should be per- 
formed on that day ? Would such a law be deemed reasonable ? 
Would the people approve of it, when it might drive from the 
public service many of the ablest and most useful officers, who 
would relinquish their stations rather than violate their con- 
sciences ? 

" The committee conceive that all such cases should be regu- 
lated by public opinion, and controlled by emergencies, without 
any positive legal injunction. It is believed that the statute 
books contain no provision, except in the instance of Postmasters, 
requiring the performance of official duty on the Sabbath. 

" In conclusion, the committee earnestly recommend the re- 
peal of so much of the 11th section of the Postoffice law of 
March, 1825, [the same as in 1810,] as requires Postmasters to 
deliver letters, newspapers, &c. on the Sabbath." 

Hon. John McLean, then Postmaster-General, in answer to 
inquiries made by said committee, says : — " It is believed that 
the revenue of the department would not be lessened, to any 
considerable amount, if no letters or newspapers, &c., were de- 
livered at the different Postoffices on the Sabbath." 

Whether the revenue would be lessened or not, by the per- 
formance of such acts on Sunday, should not be a matter of in- 
quiry ; for all moneys thus obtained would come to this nation 



SUNDAY MAILS. 81 

at a premium higher than it would be justified in paying. It is 
the principle of compelling labor, by a national law^ on that day, 
contrary to the law of G-od, that is complained of. 

It is supposed that these opinions are entertained by most 
true patriots and sound politicians, whether believers in the 
Christian religion or not. I once heard an unbeliever express 
this sentiment, viz : " The appropriate religious exercises of the 
Sabbath, in republics, are the mainspring of sobriety, intelli- 
gence, morality, and true patriotism ; and, though I do not be- 
lieve in the Bible, I never wish to see the Sabbath abolished.'* 
But if this nation continue to require labor on Sunday, it surely 
will be abolished, or its legitimate influence on the people will 
be lost. Example, in high places, is not only contagious, but 
often, to all intents and purposes, becomes law. 

It is sometimes said that the Sabbath is not essential to intel- 
ligence, peace, morality, and republican institutions. It will be 
admitted that it is not so essential where despotism holds the 
rod of iron over the people. Where physical force, not reason, 
governs, there ignorance may be in a measure controlled. The 
main pillars which support the thrones of the despot and the 
proud monarch, are their will, aided by physical strength. But 
not so with republics. They must be founded on intelligence, 
and controlled by reason and argument. Republics cannot govern 
ignorance, because the means used are not adapted to such an end. 

Now, when it is said that the strict religious observance of the 
Sabbath is essential to intelligence, peace, morality, and repub- 
lican institutions; the B^ye is fixed on this great, enterprising, and 
prosperous nation, whose only law is the will of the people, not 
of a despot ; and the truths, that ignorance, clothed in her man- 
tle of intemperance, immorality, and sloth, cannot guide this 
mighty ship over the trackless, restless sea upon which she is 
launched ; that an immoral community cannot be an intelligent 
and peaceful community ; and that the appropriate exercises of 
the Sabbath, such as devout reading, and the faithful preaching 
of the Gospel, are the greatest incitements to a peaceful, indus- 
trious, temperate, moral, and sober life. Therefore, it is said, 
without a Sabbath duly observed, this nation cannot long con- 
tinue independent, prosperous, and happy. 



82 THE SABBATH. 

Where, in the whole universe, is there to be found an instrument 
favoring these objects so benignly as the too often neglected and 
despised Sabbath ? And who cannot see that every abridg- 
ment of its legitimate influence is weakening the foundation, 
not only of our religion, but of our republican institutions ? All 
history shows that the Sabbath, wherever it has been duly ob- 
served, has proved an invaluable blessing to the people. Ob- 
servation, and the experience of good men, loudly proclaim the 
same fact. Then, how can any lover of his country lend his in- 
fluence to desecrate that day, or withhold that influence to pre- 
vent its further desecration ? 

Save this country from an ignorant^ Saihath-hreaking commu- 
nity. And, in order to do this, the clause referred to must he 
repealed. 

Only a few facts will be referred to, to show that we are a 
Sabbath-breaking people, for they cannot have escaped the no- 
tice of any of the gentlemen composing this honorable body. 
They are seen, as often as the day returns, in every stage and 
Postoffice ; in every steam and canal boat ; in every rail-car and 
omnibus ; in every place of public resort, and in most houses 
kept for the entertainment of travelers. And this practice is not 
confined to one section of our country, nor to one class of her 
citizens; but some of all classes and grades of society partici- 
pate in the immorality. Even this beautiful city exhibits pain- 
ful evidence of the truth of what has been said ; and the evil is 
by no means confined to the citizens or private individuals tem- 
porarily residing here. It is seen in high places ; and its con- 
taminating influence circulates through every artery of this great 
nation, filling with pain and sorrow the heart of those who sin- 
cerely love their country, and that kingdom which Jesus Christ 
came into the world to establish. 

What patriot or Christian can look upon these millions of Sab- 
bath-breakers, scattered as they are all over the land, mingling 
with every family, and leaving the polluting leaven wherever 
they go, without washing his own hands of the sin, and calling 
upon every man, woman, and child to " Remember the Sab- 
bath day to keep it holy V' And in view of these facts and con- 
siderations, is there a single member of the twenty-fifth Congress 



SUNDAY MAILS. S3 

who wDl raise his voice against granting the prayer of this 
petition ? 

Law to be Repealed. 

The whole section reads as follows: — '•'And he it further en- 
acted^ That every Postmaster shall keep an office, in which one 
or more persons shall attend on every day on which a mail, or 
hag, or other packet, or parcel of letters shall arrive by land or 
water, as well as on other days, at such hours as the Postmaster- 
General shall direct, for the purpose of performing the duties 
thereof; and it shall be the duty of the Postmaster, at all rea- 
sonable hours, on every day of the week, to deliver, on demand, 
any letter, paper, or packet to the person entitled to or authoriz- 
ed to receive the same," &c. 

I do not think any of this part of the law necessary ; for, if a 
deputy Postmaster will not obey the instructions of the Post- 
master-G-eneral, he can be removed, and one appointed who will. 
The former part of this section would be well enough, provided 
the Postmaster-Greneral would not require^ nor encourage labor 
on Sunday. But these words, ''•and it shall be the duty of the 
Postmaster^ at all reasonable hours, on every day of the week, to 
deliver, on demand, any letter, paper, or packet to the person enti- 
tled to or authorized to receive the same,''"' ought, without delay, 
to be repealed. It is requiring them to do what they, probably, 
for the present at least, would not do were this clause repealed ; 
and what is against the laws of many of the states, and the law 
of God, if not against the Constitution of the United States. 

It should be particularly observed that this clause does not 
touch the carrying and changing the mail. It relates only to 
the delivery of letters, papers, &c., at the different Postoffices. 
And your petitioner does not ask Congress to forbid the delivery 
of letters, papers, &c., on Sunday; or to say any thing about it. 
Congress, in this section, says, every Postmaster shall keep an 
office, attend on every day on which a mail-bag, &c., shall arrive, 
by land or water, as well as on other days, at such hours as the 
Postmaster-General shall direct, for the purpose of performing 
the duties thereof, viz: the delivery of letters, &:c., as well as 



S4 THE SABBATH. 

opening mail bags. Does any man want more than this to in- 
sure the delivery of his letters on Sunday, if required ? 

The clause to be repealed is not only unnecessary^ but seems to 
clash with the rest of the section. For, first, Congress gives the 
Postmaster-General full power to say how many hours in a day 
his deputies shall attend at their offices ; and, in the clause 
to be repealed, they say to the deputies, " at all reasonable 
hours." Suppose the parties should disagree about ^''reasonable 
hours V It might be asked, why did Congress think it necessary 
to make a law compelling deputy Postmasters, and not the mail 
contractors, carriers, and drivers, to labor on Sunday ? The same 
power is given to the Postmaster-Greneral, touching the delivery 
of letters, papers^ &c., without this clause, that is given him in 
the case of sending the mail (as he does) through all parts of the 
land, as often as he may think best. And does he find any diffi- 
culty in obtaining men to carry and change the mail on Sunday, 
though Congress has made no law requiring the mail contractor 
and mail carrier to obey the instructions of the Postmaster-Gen- 
eral ? And have those who wish the mail distributed reason to 
believe, if this clause were repealed, the deputy Postmasters 
would, from conscientious scruples, refuse to deliver letters, &:c., 
on Sunday, after they had changed the mail on that day ? and, 
also, that the Postmaster-General could not obtain men for the 
different offices who would obey his instructions, as readily as he 
does mail contractors, carriers, &c. ? Now, the mail is carried 
and changed on that day, without any law requiring it ; and the 
same, doubtless, would be true respecting the delivery of letters, 
&c., though the clause were repealed ; provided the Postmaster- 
General should continue, to his deputies, the instructions already 
given. 

And why need any person object to the repeal of the clause 
specified ? Certainly no one need. But it is to be feared that 
those who would destroy the Sabbath and the Christian religion, 
(and consequently our republican institutions,) will object. Yet 
it is ardently hoped, since they would not be unfavorably affected 
were the prayer of the petition granted, that they will consent 
to its repeal, and thereby gratify hundreds, and hundreds of thou- 



SUNDAY MAfLS. 85 

sands of their fellow citizens, no less anxious for the prosperity 
of our country than themselves. 

The Postmaster-General, following the steps of his prede- 
cessors, has already assumed the responsibility of directing the 
mail to be carried, and changed^ and delivered, on Sunday, and 
it is presumed that he will not insist on retaining this clause on 
his account. Neither is it believed that he will say it is at all 
necessary, m order to the delivery of letters, papers, &c., on every 
day of the week, and at such hours as he shall think proper to 
direct. 

My anxiety on this subject is very great ; and I am admon- 
ished by declining health that this may be my last appeal in 
behalf of this institution. And must I be carried from time, so 
long as this clause remains among the laws of our country, 
blazing its absurdities over all Christendom, and soliciting di- 
vine judgments ? It seems to me that I cannot. Why cannot 
even those in favor of Sunday mails, since this clause is unne- 
cessary, and since so many respectable citizens desire its repeal, 
grant the request of the petitioner on these grounds, if on no 
other ; avowing, at the same time, if they choose, their prefer- 
ences in the case ? 

Repeal this clause, and Congress would compel no man to 
labor on Sunday. If labor were done on that day, it would be 
the act of an individual ; and the shield now around the Sab- 
bath-breaker, rendering him invulnerable to all appeal, would 
be broken ; for no man could then say to those wishing to create 
a correct public sentiment, " the supreme law of the land requires 
labor to be done on Sunday, and the Bible says, be subject to the 
powers that be. Therefore, I am justified in breaking the fourth 
commandment." And this nation must answer for the evil 
done. Repealing this law will not close a single Postoffice on 
that day, unless the Postmaster-General and the people require 
it. The voice of the people, from time to time, through their 
President, who appoints the Postmaster-General, will control this 
thing ; for like people, like President ; like President, like Post- 
master-General ; and Congress having, by law, secured the free 
and unobstructed passage of the mail through the several States ; 
the Postmaster-General, having all the power to determine 



86 THE SABBATH. 

how often the mail shall go^ and at Avhat hours in a day each 
Postmaster shall attend at his office, for the performance of the 
duties thereof; and as there are men who are willing to labor on 
Sunday in that department, it is easy to see that there must be 
a change in his feelings and conduct, before there would be any 
change in regard to the mails, or the management of the differ- 
ent Postoffices, though this clause were repealed. I wish the 
repeal of this clause for the reasons already given, and because 
it appears to be the mainspring of the evil. 

It stands in the way of all reform, and is construed as a license 
for all other kinds of labor, public and private, which companies 
or individuals, supremely worldly and selfish, choose to perform. 

And this evil can scarcely be lessened, much less eradicated, 
while this clause stands unrepealed. And who will object to 
granting the request of this petition, since it will not affect, m 
the least, his interest in the matter of Sunday mails ? For, I 
repeat, the repeal of this law will not directUj effect the carry- 
ing or stopping, and opening and delivering, the mail on that 
day. All this would then, as now, be in the power of the Post- 
master-General, appointed by the President, and he by the peo- 
ple. So that the people will determine the whole of this matter, 
as they should be left to do, without any law of Congress about it. 

What can do more to blot out the light of that day than na- 
tional law requiring its profanation, national example in its 
judges, rulers, and lawgivers ? Let Congress now repeal this 
clause, and it will greatly aid in redeeming that institution from 
the disrepute into which it has undeservedly fallen. But let 
them refuse, and another blow is struck, which will tend to 
throw this nation into anarchy and confusion, natural and una- 
voidable consequences of forgetting God, and profaning the 
Sabbath. 

Pious Members. 

Many members of this body, if not all of them, believe in the 
divine appointment of the Christian Sabbath. And some of 
them have solemnly covenanted, in the presence of God, men, 
and angels, to keep holy that day, and do all they can to pro- 
mote its observance. They have looked on this subject not only 



* 



I 



SUNDAY MAILS. 87 

as patriots and philanthropists, but as Christians. Here is a 
three-fold cord drawing them to its careful consideration; and 
surely, now it is presented, they cannot be silent spectators in 
this matter, they cannot treat with indifference any proper ef- 
fort made, though it be by an individual, to obtain the better 
observance of that day ; certainly they cannot lift up their voice 
against it. Would it not be sin, and desertion, and treason so to 
do ? As well be silent if a law promoting blasphemy, and theft, 
and idolatry existed ; quite as well^ though the ill effects might 
not be, in this case, so sudden and perceptible, as in that. 

A belief that a majority of Congress are in favor of this law, 
as it now stands, should not prevent every lawful and honorable 
means, on the part of those opposed to it, to obtain its repeal. 
For this institution may have more friends in Congress, and a 
love of consistency and right-doing a greater influence here, 
than may at first be imagined. And let it not be supposed that 
God will long suffer his day thus to be trampled upon by a peo- 
ple favored as we are. He will not, with impunity, suffer this 
or any other nation to blot out one of the commands of the de- 
calogue, especially the one on which, more than on any other, 
depends the existence of his religion. No, God can never give 
up his Sabbath, though it cost the heart's blood of this nation to 
preserve it. His judgments may be deferred^ but they will be 
none the less certain. 

In despotic governments, and some that are somewhat demo- 
cratic, the people may continue to enjoy a kind of prosperity, 
though they break the Sabbath. But who, that he might longer 
continue to pollute that day, would prefer their servile condi- 
tion to our right of thinking and acting for ourselves ? 

Laws, 

Giving the authority above referred to. " He (Postmaster- 
General) shall provide for the carriage of the mail on all post- 
roads that are or may be established by law, and as often as he, 
having regard to the productiveness thereof, and other circum- 
stances, shall think proper." (Sec. 1st in the act regulating the 
Postoffice establishment in 1810.) 

Also in section 7th, " That if any person shall knowingly and 



88 THE SABEATH. 

wilfully obstruct or retard the passage of the mail, or of any 
driver, or carrier, or of any horse or carriage carrying the same, 
he shall, upon conviction, for every such offence, pay a fine not 
exceeding $100." This clause secures the free passage of the 
mail on Sundays, if the Postmaster-General is disposed to send 
it, unless some of the States should claim the right secured to 
them by the Constitution, article 4th, sec. 4, v^hich is as follows : 
" The United States shall guaranty to every State in this Union 
a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them 
against innovation," &c. Here we see that each State has a 
right to make and administer her own laws, provided they do 
not contravene the Constitution, or the laws of the United States, 
made in pursuance of it. No law, really promotive of the pub- 
lic good, will ever be opposed by consistent Christians. 

Will Congress, when the Constitution guaranties to each 
State the right to make her own laws, provided they are in ac- 
cordance with the supreme law of the land, refuse to repeal a 
clause, abridging that right ? If so, is there any security that, 
by and by, " test acts" will not be multiplied, until, like Daniel, 
the religious man must violate the dictates of his conscience, or 
abandon every office under the Government ? As the Postoffice 
Department is now managed, no consistent Christian can parti- 
cipate in its duties and emoluments. And, with that clause re- 
maining, all have not equal rights. The irreligious man is 
aided, and the religious man excluded, voluntarily, it is admitted, 
for they rather obey God than man. 

Among the amendments to the Constitution, and equally bind- 
ing, is the following : Article 1st, " Congress shall make no law 
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibit the free ex- 
ercise thereof" Now place by the side of this and the other 
acts quoted above, the clause, " and it shall be the duty of the 
Postmaster, at all reasonable hours, on every day of the weeJc^ to 
deliver, on demand, any letter, or paper, or packet, to the person 
entitled to, or authorized to receive the same," and see whether 
they are consistent with each other ; see whether the conscien- 
tious Christian can be a Postmaster, and at the same time enjoy 
the free exercise of his religion. Can he enjoy equally with 
others the civil benefits of his country, so long as labor is re- 



SUNDAY MAILS. 89 

quired in any of its departments, on the day forbidden by his 
religion ? 

If Congress has a right to require such labor, can it not re- 
quire many other things contrary to the Christian religion — as 
that every member of Congress, of the executive, and every offi- 
cer of the G-eneral Government, shall, on every day of the week, 
attend to the duties of his appointment, until every Christian 
shall be excluded from office ? But would not such laws pro- 
hibit the free exercise of religion, and be unequal, and unconsti- 
tutional ? Would not this be as effectual a " religious test" as 
to require a belief in a particular system of religion as a quali- 
fication for office ? It is by such laws, (and the one complained 
of,) that " Church and State" are unlawfully united. There is 
a union, approved of God and beneficial to men. But it consists 
not in legislating for or against true religion, but in accordance 
with it. It is hoped Congress will legislate in no other way. 

Acts Repealed, 

When the act of 1810 was passed, most of the former laws on 
this subject were repealed, among which are the following: 
" The Postmaster-General shall provide for carrying the mail on 
all post-roads that are, or may be, established by law, and as 
often as he, having regard to the productiveness thereof, and 
other circumstances, shall think proper." So far it is similar to 
the act of 1810. But the duty required of depute/ Postmasters 
at that time, 1779, up to April, 1810, was different from that 
required of them now. Hear it. " The Postmaster shall keep 
an office in which one or more persons shall attend, at such 
hours as the Postmaster- General shall direct, for the purpose of 
performing the duties thereof." We also find Congress enacting 
laws on this subject, February 20, 1792, May 8, 1794, and March 
2, 1799, in each of which they say, " that every deputy Post- 
master shall keep an office, in which one or more persons shall 
attend, at such hours as the Postmaster-General shall direct, for 
the purpose of performing the duties thereof" And here they 
left the matter to the further direction of the Postmaster-Gen- 
eral, instead of requiring them to keep their office open, &c., on 
Sunday. And why should the Congresses of 1810 and 1825 re- 
8# 



90 THE SABBATH. 

quire labor on Sunday in that department ? Were they wiser 
and better than all past Congresses and the Constitution ? I 
cannot find any authority in the Constitution for requiring labor 
on Sunday ; but, from the acts quoted above, is it not most ap- 
parent that there is much against it ? Surely that instrument 
would not allow a Sabbath for the President, the United States' 
Court, (and Congress takes one for themselves,) and deny one to 
those employed in a most important department of Government, 
But if the clause complamed of be not a violation of that instru- 
ment, certainly, taking the practice of early Congresses as a 
criterion by which to judge, it is inexpedient and unchristian. It 
is against the constitution of Heaven. And what people ever 
prospered, legislating against God ? 

In conclusion, therefore, I ask for the repeal of the clause 
above specified, because it is unequal, (keeping in mind the 
Christian religion and those who keep the Lord's day, for such, 
and only such, have been recognized in the Constitution, and by 
all subsequent Congresses ;) because it is against the best inte- 
rests of your constituents; because it is unnecessary; because it 
is believed to be against the spirit^ if not the letter of the con- 
stitution ; and because it is imchristian, and renders this nation 
obnoxious to the severest judgments of Almighty God. And I 
cannot believe that I am asking what Congress does not wish 
were already done. . 

But, should not this prayer be granted, let it be placed among 
the archives of this nation, as a standing memorial to each suc- 
ceeding Congress against every law requiring or encouraging 
labor on the Christian Sabbath. 

HARMON KINGSBURY. 
Washington City, D. C, 
December 5, 1837. 



I 



SUNDAY MAILS. 91 

APPENDIX 

To Harmon Kingshury's petition to Congress^ presented Decern^ 
her 12, 1837, praying the repeal of that part of an act of Con- 
gress, regulating the Postoffice Department, which is in these 
words, viz : " And it shall be the duty of the Postmaster, at all 
reasonable hours, on every day of the week, to deliver, on de- 
mand, any letter, paper, or packet, to the person entitled to, or 
authorized to receive the same^ 

The object of this appendix is to adduce facts and reasons 
which have, subsequent to the petition, come to the author's 
notice, showing, it is thought, most conclusively, that this nation 
has adopted the Christian, instead of the Jewish, Mohammedan, 
Pagan, or infidel religion, and also that the law compelling Post- 
masters to violate the Sabbath is impolitic, unconstitutional, and 
unjust, and ought to be repealed. 

The law is impolitic, because a very large majority of the 
people of these United States acknowledge the authority of the 
Christian Scriptures, and recognize the decalogue as the moral 
law of God. This is evident from the fact that there are, it is 
said, more than two millions of communicants of evangelical 
churches, and if we may be allowed to add an equal number as 
stated hearers and supporters of the gospel, there is in this Union 
a large majority of the adult population on the side of Chris- 
tianity. 

It is contrary to the spirit of our institutions, and exceedingly 
impolitic, for the representatives of a people to legislate against 
the will of the majority, and more especially when that will is 
unquestionably on the side of order, religion, and law. It is not 
believed that Congress intended to abolish the Sabbath by this 
law. Perhaps it was passed without due consideration of its 
bearing upon that institution. This has been intimated by a 
member of the Congress which passed the law. But still it is 
evidently a direct attack upon the Sabbath, a contradiction of all 
previous legislation, and opposed to the opinions of two- thirds of 
the most intelligent citizens of these United States. Nor will it 
be denied that this is a fair representation of public opinion, 



92 THE SABBATH. 

when it is considered that more than twenty of the States have 
protected the Sabbath by direct legislation — which will be no- 
ticed more fully hereafter. 

Petitions in 1828 and 1829. 

During the agitation of the Sabbath-mail question, some ten 
years since, four hundred and sixty-seven petitions from friends 
of the Sabbath, of twenty-one States, were presented to Con- 
gress. The following extract from the honorable Mr. McKean's 
report to the House, will show what he thought of the petition- 
ers, and of the voice of public sentiment, at that time, viz : 
" The memorials on this subject, on account of the numerous 
sources from which they have been received, the number and 
respectability of the signatures, as well as the intrinsic import- 
ance of the question involved, require from the committee and 
the Legislature the most deliberate and respectful consideration. 
It is believed that the history of legislation in this country affords 
no instance in which a stronger expression has been made, if 
regard be had to numbers, the wealth, or the intelligence of the 
petitioners." And this report closes with a resolution recom- 
mending Congress to repeal the very clause mentioned above. 
It cannot with any propriety be contended that the history of 
those transactions cannot be brought to bear on the question 
now under consideration. Those in favor of the repeal of this 
clause at that time, can be no less in favor of it at the present 
time. For many of those petitioners asked for legislation to 
prevent the mail from being carried, and Postoflfices from being 
opened, on Sunday, as well as the repeal of the law complained 
of; while the petition referred to above seeks only the repeal of 
the clause compelling Postmasters to violate the fourth com- 
mandment ; leaving the rest to the conscience of the Postmas- 
ter-General and the voice of public opinion. Those who opposed 
the passage of any law to close PostofEces and to prevent the 
transportation of the mail on Sunday, must, to be consistent, and 
in accordance with their reasoning, sustain the repealing of a 
law compelling any officer of the United States to desecrate that 
day. Among these petitioners were some of the first men in 
this nation. 



SUNDAY MAILS. 93 

Soon after the close of the last war, numerous petitions in 
relation to this law, from west as well as east of the mountains, 
were sent to Congress. They called out a respectful report 
from the Postmaster-General, hut resulted in nothing more. The 
whole history of this subject shows that the Christian commu- 
nity have never acquiesced in this irreligious legislation : and 
although there are a few men who would gladly see the Lord's 
day desecrated by law, yet it is confidently believed, were the 
question, Sahhath or no Sahbath, fairly presented to this republic, 
that a most overwhelming preponderance in its favor would be 
the result. 

Other facts may serve to indicate public sentiment, as it at 
present exists on this subject. And may it not be presumed, 
that in every portion of this country, similar expressions have 
been made, though they have not fallen under the immediate 
inspection of the author ? The following memorial was circu- 
lated about a year since in the western part of New York and 
the northern part of Ohio ; and obtained the signatures of a 
large majority of the business men, in every place to which it 
was sent. 

" To the Forwarders on the Erie Canal : 

" GENTLEMEN^The object of this memorial is respectfully to 
present to your attention the subject of the observance of the 
Sabbath. Being engaged in such branches of business as re- 
quire the transportation of our property upon the Erie canal, we 
have often been induced to reflect upon the general subject re- 
specting which this memorial is submitted. And upon such 
occasions, our minds have, from the situation which you occupy, 
been very naturally directed towards yourselves. 

" We do not present ourselves as theologians, but as philan- 
thropists and citizens. Although we acknowledge the Sabbath 
as a divine institution, yet it is not in this light that it is placed 
before your minds. Humanity and patriotism advance motives 
full of interest and eloquence. 

" An examination of the constitution of man shows that he 
needs just such an institution as the Sabbath. He is a physical 
being ; and it is impossible for the animal machine to continue 



94 THE SABBATH. 

in constant operation without injury, a period of rest being ne- 
cessary to recruit its wasted energies. He is an intellectual 
being; and if the body be constantly employed, the mind must 
be neglected. He is a moral being ; and having a soul of price- 
less value, some portion of time is essential to attend to its in- 
terests. The body, the intellect, the soul, all demand the ob- 
servance of the Sabbath. 

" Fully believing man to be thus constituted, and needing a 
weekly cessation from the ordinary pursuits of life, sympathy 
induces us to commiserate those whose employment leads them 
to neglect this necessary repose. They are our fellow- creatures. 
Their and our physical, mental, and moral powers need the 
Sabbath. It is thus, gentlemen, with yourselves. We are, 
therefore, only striking upon a cord that binds them and you 
and ourselves closely together. It is the voice of humanity, that 
asks rest every seventh day for the waterman. 

" The welfare of our country is deeply affected by this subject. 
An unintelligent and immoral population will spread desolation 
throughout a Republican Government. Where the sword or 
the bayonet is the umpire, there ignorance may prevail, and the 
nation's existence continue. But our perpetuity as a race of free- 
men rests upon intelligence and morality. Sweep these away, 
and wrecked are our republic, our peace, and our prosperity. 

"But the plan of neglecting the observance of the Sabbath, as 
is practised upon the Erie canal, tends, so far as it goes, to foster 
ignorance and immorality. If every seventh day were devoted 
to the cultivation of the mind, one whole year of mental im- 
provement would be enjoyed in every seven years. If the same 
period were occupied in the study of moral obligation, a similar 
amount of time would be employed in learning to become a bet- 
ter man and a more useful citizen. But the present system of 
Sabbath transportation, so far as it extends, prevents the enjoy- 
ment of such advantages. 

" But it is not our intention to enter into an extended argu- 
ment. We ask, for the sake of humanity, and for the welfare 
of our country, a candid consideration of this subject. 

" In addition to these views, we feel bound to obviate an ob- 
jection, which has been and may again be based upon ourselves. 



SUNDAY MAILS. 95 

It is said that business men demand the transportation of their 
propert}^ upon the Sabbath. We, however, wish to be considered 
as exceptions. We do distinctly declare our preferences for a 
different course. And we will heartily rejoice, if you should de- 
termine to abandon the present plan, and require those in your 
employ to rest upon the Sabbath." 

At one of the most commercial points in northern Ohio, about 
one hundred and sixty signatures were obtained to a similar pa- 
per, including almost every business man in the city. 

Opinions of Public Bodies. 

At the anniversary of the American Bethel Society, held at 
Buffalo, June, 1838, the following resolutions were unanimously 
adopted : — 

" 1. Resolved^ That the rescue of the Christian Sabbath from 
the desecration which is almost universal upon our inland waters, 
is an object of immense importance to the American Bethel So- 
ciety, upon the success of which depends the great design of our 
organization, the moral and religious elevation of sailors and 
boatmen. 

" 2. Resolved^ That we view the act of Congress, imposing as 
a duty on Postmasters the violation of the Sabbath, by requiring 
them to deliver letters, papers, &c., on every day of the week, as 
a violation of the rights of conscience, contrary to the spirit of 
our institutions, opposed to the laws of most of the states in this 
Union touching the Sabbath, and is in the way of all attempts to 
rescue the day from desecration, because it demands what God 
has expressly prohibited, and what no Christian can, with a 
good conscience, perform; and encourages individuals and com- 
panies to persist in a sin which is the source of the degradation 
and immorality which we seek to remove. 

" 3. Resolved^ That this law ought to be forthwith repealed. 

" 4. Resolved^ That we will endeavor to persuade our fellow- 
.citizens to refrain from their business operations on our lakes, 
rivers, canals, and rail-roads on the Lord's day. 

" 5. Resolved^ That if the friends of the Sabbath would al- 
ways give a preference to those lines of conveyances which rest 
on that day, it would have a powerful influence in changing a 



96 THE SABBATH. 

practice which, if continued, must unavoidably prove our de- 
struction. 

" 6. Resolved^ That ministers, and editors, and private Chris- 
tians ought more frequently and faithfully to remonstrate against 
the practice of running boats, stages, and rail-road cars, of carry- 
ing, opening, and delivering the mail on Sunday — acts offensive 
to God, and prejudicial to the best interests of the employer, as 
well as the employed. 

" 7. Resolved^ That it is the duty of every church to watch 
over its members with constant and increasing care, that no one 
of them who desecrates or causes the desecration of the Sab- 
bath may be allowed to escape the censure which such unchris- 
tian conduct deserves. 

" 8. Resolved^ That Rev. Messrs. Lord, Hopkins, and May be 
a committee to correspond with the friends of the Sabbath in dif- 
ferent parts of the country, and devise ways and means more ef- 
fectually to secure the object of these resolutions." 

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, at Pitts- 
burgh, in 1836, passed unanimously a preamble and resolutions, 
from which the following are extracts : — 

" The rest of the Sabbath is the only wise and adequate pro- 
vision for the wants of the animal system. The influence of the 
Sabbath can alone be relied t)n to sustain our free institutions, to 
extend the empire of law, to preserve domestic order and happi- 
ness, and to continue the bare existence of morality and religion 
in the world. The abandonment of the Sabbath is, therefore, 
nothing less than resigning all that is sacred and dear to a 
Christian people, for time and for eternity." 

The fifth resolution, introduced by Dr. Miller, of Princeton, is 
as folio vvs: — 

" Resolved, That, in the judgment of this G-eneral Assembly, 
the owners of stock in steamboats, canals, rail-roads, &:c., which 
are in the habit of violating the Sabbath, are lending their pro- 
perty and their influence to one of the most wide-spread, alarm- 
ing, and deplorable systems of Sabbath desecration which now 
grieves the hearts of the pious, and disgraces the church of God ; 
and that it be respectfully recommended to the friends of the 
Lord's day, as soon as possible, to establish such means of public 



I 



SUNDAY MAILS. 97 

conveyance as shall relieve them from the necessity, under 
which they now labor, of traveling, at any time, in vehicles 
which habitually violate that holy day ; and thus prevent them 
from in any way being partakers in other men's sins in this 
respect." 

Had the subject of the petition been before that body, there 
can be no doubt a united voice in favor of it would have been 
given ; for this resolution, in spirit, is decidedly against the law 
and the practice which desecrate holy time. And here we have 
the voice of an assembly which represents at least eight or ten 
hundred thousands of our fellow-citizens. 

And one of the last assemblies of the same church, con- 
vened at Philadelphia, in the report of their committee on the 
subject of Sabbath desecration, say, " Having done this, the next 
step will be to lift up a united voice against all that immoral and 
oppressive legislation, behind which the sin of Sabbath-breaking 
now staads securely entrenched. What has been found true in 
the temperance reform will be found true in the Sabbath reform. 
The sanction of law must be removed from every evil which you 
would fain frown upon and exterminate." 

Kfew individuals in that body thought they should ^r5^ purify 
the church, but, having done this, all admitted their obligation 
to do what they could to obtain the repeal of the law requiring 
labor on the Lord's day. All believed such a law to be impious, 
impolitic, and unjust. 

Baptist Convention. — Such sentiments as the following, pre- 
sented to the Baptist Convention of Ohio, are yearly sent forth 
from almost all our ecclesiastical bodies : — 

" Resolved^ That the present alarming desecration of the 
Christian Sabbath is a moral evil, rife alike with every danger to 
the church, to the civil institutions of our country, and to the 
world ; and that this convention do most affectionately recom- 
mend and urge upon all the churches the duty of guarding, with 
sacred vigilance, its sanctity and moral purity." 

Cleveland Preshytery. — At a session of the Presbytery of 
Cleveland, held April 17th, 1838, the following preamble and 
9 



98 THE SABBATH. 

resolutions were adopted, and are hereby submitted for publica- 
tion : — 

Whereas, The law of Congress, requiring Postmasters to de- 
liver letters, papers, &c., on the Sabbath, is against the law of 
God- and exceedingly prejudicial to the religious interests of the 
community generally, as well as of those more immediately con- 
cerned ; therefore. 

Resolved, That it is the duty of Congress forthwith to repeal 
said law. 

Resolved, That our delegates to the next General Assembly be 
instructed to do all in their power to obtain from said Assembly 
an expression against said law, to be forwarded to Congress. 

Resolved, That our clerk furnish such delegates and the edi- 
tor of the Cleveland Observer with a copy of the foregoing. 
A true copy, attested, 

Myron Tracy, ClerV' 

At a Sabbath meeting at Cleveland, held at the Baptist 
church, pursuant to public notice given in the different churches, 
on Sabbath evening, April 1, 1838, Simeon Ford, Esq. was called 
to the chair, and Henry Sexton appointed secretary. ^ 

The chairman stated the object of the meeting to be the pro- 
motion and sanctification of the Christian Sabbath. 

The following resolutions were read and sustained by the 
speakers, and all but one passed unanimously : — 

Resolved, That the principles of God's moral government, 
contained in the ten commandments, are applicable to all men, in 
every condition and relation of life ; and that a violation of those 
principles is as perilous to nations as to individuals. — Rev. Mr. 
Tucker. 

Resolved, That the Sabbath, as enjoined by the lav/ of God, is 
necessary, not only to the existence and perpetuity of the Chris- 
tian religion, and the success of all efforts to spread that religion 
through the world, but to the permanence and utility of our re- 
publican institutions. — Rev. Mr. Whiting. 

Resolved, That any law, or any mode of transacting public j 
business, which requires or involves the violation of the Sabbath, 
is inconsistent with the public good.- Rev. Mr. Aihin. 



SUNDAY MAILS, 99 

Resolved^ That so much of the law of the United States, 
passed April, 1810, and re-enacted March, 1825, as requires Vost' 
masters to deliver letters, papers, &:c., on Sunday, is contrary to- 
the law of God, and consequently detrimental to the best inter- 
ests of the individuals immediately concerned ; exceedingly in- 
jurious to the nation, as a public example of impiety, and ought, 
without delay, to be repealed. — Woolsey Wells^ Esq. 

Resolved, That the friends of knowledge, of virtue, of refine- 
ment, and of the peace, good order, and happiness of society, are 
as truly bound, in consistency with their principles, as the reli- 
gious man, to exert all their influence for a strict observance of 
the Sabbath. — Rev. Mr. Boyden. 

Resolved, That it is the duty of ministers of the Gospel, and 
editors of religious newspapers, to use every effort in their ap- 
propriate spheres to promote the sanctification of the Sabbatli, 
by showing the essential importance of its influence to the wel- 
fare of mdividuals and nations, and the certainty, derivable from 
the revealed principles of God's government, that a public and 
general desecration of that day must be followed by exemplary 
.and fearful judgments. — Rev. Mr. Kinsley. 

The following resolutions were read and passed without de- 
bate. 

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is the duty 
of ecclesiastical bodies immediately to express to the committees 
on Postoffices and post-roads, and through them to Congress, 
their unqualified disapprobation of the law requiring Postmas- 
ters to deliver letters and papers on Sunday. 

Resolved, That it be recommended to all delegates who may 
attend meetings of such bodies, to do all in their power to procure 
and forward to Congress such expressions of disapprobation. 

Simeon Ford, Chairman. 

Henry Sexton, Secretary. 

Opinions of Editors of Newspapers. 

But one sentiment expressed by the various religious and po- 
litical editors, touching this law, (except in a single instance,) 
has reached the author. Extracts from several of them, belong- 
ing to seven different denominations, and representing the views 



100 THE SABBATH. 

of many hundred thousands of our best citizens, are given below. 
It is not probable that all which has been said on this subject 
has been received; but enough has been seen to justify the as- 
sertion that the readers of the religious class of publications are 
in favor of granting the prayer of the petition. In a word, all 
who consider the Sabbath essential to our religious and political 
prosperity seem to be in favor of the repeal of said law. 

" We designed to speak on this subject in connection with 
noticing the petition of Harmon Kingsbury, mentioned in the 
following account of the proceedings of a meeting in this place 
on "Wednesday last. Our present limits, however, forbid any 
thing more than the expression of our full and hearty concur- 
rence in the action of the meeting, and our conviction that no 
friend of our republican institutions, resident in this county, would 
object to the repeal of that part of the law specified in Mr. 
Kingsbury's petition, while our good citizens generally, would 
doubtless regard it as the imperative duty of Congress to make 
the repeal." — Ohio Atlas andElyria Advertiser, 

" At a meeting of persons friendly to the religious observance 
of the Sabbath, at Elyria, Lorain County, on the 14th of March, 
1838, the petition of Harmon Kingsbury, of Cleveland, * praying 
the repeal of that part of an act of Congress regulating the Post- 
office Department, which requires Postmasters to deliver letters, 
&c., on the Sabbath,' was read, and the object thereof unani- 
mously approved. 

" Whereupon it was 

" Resolved^ That the law is a bad one, and ought to be repeal- 
ed; and we would earnestly request our Representatives in Con- 
gress to do all in their power to effect its repeal. 

" Whereas, we have learned, with satisfaction, that the petition 
of Mr. Kingsbury has been received and submitted, in both 
houses of Congress, to their Standing Committees on the Post- 
office, we deem it our duty to make this expression of our feel- 
ings, and very much desire that a general expression of the 
friends of the Sabbath might go out and reach these commit- 
tees, that they may be satisfied that the law is disapproved ex- 
tensively. J. E. Chaplin, Chairman, 

L. H. Loss, Secretary^ 



SUNDAY MAILS. 101 

" We have commenced publishing to-day, Mr. Kingsbury's pe- 
tition to Congress, to abolish so much of the Postoffice law as re- 
quires Postmasters to deliver letters on the Sabbath. We are 
confident that but very few, if any, can be found among our read- 
ers who would be opposed to this measure. The request is a rea- 
sonable one, and it ought to be granted. Every consideration, 
both of interest and of duty, is for it." — Cleveland Observer. 

" The opening of the Postoffice on the Sabbath is another gross 
profanation of holy time ; and if all our Postmasters had that 
regard for their souls or for the Sabbath, as a day of rest, which 
they ought to have, they would in a body remonstrate against 
this requisition. It deprives them of the relaxation which their 
Maker designed for them, and which the Constitution of our 
General Government undoubtedly intended to secure for public 
men. He who trespasses upon the Sabbath, in going to the 
Postoffice on that day for purposes of business, trespasses also 
upon the rights, and wounds the soul of the Postmaster. We 
do not see how any one can claim to be a friend of the Sabbath, 
and to desire that all should enjoy its blessings, who, by his 
own example, will sanction so gross a violation of the day." — ■ 
Connecticut Observer. 

" The law in question, and every other requiring labor on the 
Sabbath day, directly contravenes the express and solemn enact- 
ment of the God of heaven. Besides, as the existing law obliges 
all Postmasters to labor on the Sabbath, its direct effect is to 
disqualify every man for that office who has scruples of con- 
science against the habitual performance of common labor on 
that day of which Jehovah has said, ' In it thou shalt do no 
tvorL^ " — Auburn Banner. 

'^ We regard the law, as it now stands, not only as a national 
sin, but as operating unfairly and unequally, in exacting from 
the officers connected with the Postoffice establishment labor on 
the Sabbath, which is given as a day of rest to officers in the 
other departments. It operates injuriously, also, in preventmg 
many conscientious men from accepting office, one of the re- 
quirements of which is to break the Sabbath, while it throws, 
in too many instances, important trusts into the hands of the 
9* 



102 THE SABBATH. 

unprincipled. May not the multiplied cases of delinquency 
which have occurred in this department of late years be accounted 
for on this principle ?" — Presbyterian. 

" We believe the subject (of the repeal) is of immense import- 
ance to this entire nation. We cannot think for a moment on 
the dreadful judgments which the Bible informs us once fell up- 
on other nations who disregarded the holy Sabbath, without 
shuddering in fearful anticipation of what may yet befall our 
own country. And it does seem to us that the welfare of the 
republic, the cause of suffering humanity, and the voice of God, 
call for a repeal of the law above named ; and we hope it will 
be called for by the united voice of this whole nation, through 
the length and breadth of this land." — Zionh Watchman, 

" The law of G-od establishing the Sabbath was enacted at the 
creation of man, and was therefore antecedent to the Mosaic 
ceremonial law. At the giving of the moral (not the ceremo- 
nial) law, this precept was engrafted into the moral code which 
Almighty God wrote on tables of stone. At this time it was 
recognized as of old and permanent standing, by the words of 
introduction : " Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day." 
Our Lord in the Gospel recognizes the Sabbath in as plain terms 
as possible. He does not repeal it any more than the precepts 
respecting swearing, murder, adultery, &c. The fourth com- 
mandment, then, stands with all its original authority, which 
no man or body of men have any right, human or divine, to an- 
nul, break, or cause to be annulled or broken, without incurring 
the severest penalty. To the honor of God's truth, and in sub- 
mission to his law, we refer to the fourth commandment, and 
acknowledge its moral and political authority : 

" Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day," &c. 

"Ever since mistaken Christians and designing infidels set 
themselves against the Sabbath, in Congressional enactments 
and otherwise, the tide of sin has been setting in stronger, so 
that iniquity has obtained a decided advantage, and the cause 
of religion and morals has received very great checks. We be- 
lieve that every friend to good order ought to stand up in defence 
of the fourth commandment, as rigorously as he does for th e 



SUNDAY MAILS. 103 

Other commandments. If the one falls, the others will fall with 
it. Then murder and misrule will overwhelm the land, and 
mobs and violence will govern it. We publish the following 
(Mr. Kingsbury's) petition on this subject with great cordiality." 

— Western Christian Advocate. 

" In reference to Mr. Kingsbury's present efforts, we deem it of 
very great importance that they should be prosecuted with vig- 
or and not be relinquished until the object is gained, and for 
the following reasons : 

" 1. In the first place, the Government would lose nothing by 
granting the thing prayed for. Just as many letters, papers, 
and pamphlets would circulate through the mail as though the 
Postoffices were required to be kept open on the Sabbath. 

" 2. It is due to the thousands who are employed in the Post- 
offices throughout the country that this prayer should be granted. 
These persons need the rest of the Sabbath as much as others, 
and would be as glad of it. They would all doubtless rejoice 
to be relieved from labor one day in seven, and not a few of 
them would esteem it a privilege to spend the day in a manner 
more congenial with the dictates of their consciences. We see 
not why every Postmaster in the land, whether religiously or 
irreligiously inclined, should not hold up both hands for the repeal. 
And, besides, many of the most trustworthy men in the country 
are absolutely driven from the service of the Postoffice Depart- 
ment by their conscientious regard for the claims of the Sabbath? 
while multitudes of others, of the same character, are prevented 
by the same considerations from entering it. 

" 3. The Government owes the repeal of the law which thus 
enjoins the violation of the Sabbath to the feelings and Avishes 
of a large proportion of the citizens of the United States, embrac- 
ing, to say the least, as much intelligence, patriotism, and moral 
worth, as is to be found in any other equal number of persons in 
the country, if, indeed, an equal numler opposed to it can he 
found. There is no denomination of Christians, at least none 
termed evangelical, whose feelings are not cruelly set at naught 
by this law, and that, too, without the shadow of an apology. 

" 4. No class of persons in community can give any valid rea- 



104 THE SABBATH. 

son why the law should not be repealed. None will be injured 
by it in their pecuniary interests. The petition does not ask 
that Pcstoffices shall not be opened on the Sabbath under any 
circumstances, let the emergency be as it may, but only that 
men shall not be compelled to labor on the Sabbath. Nor would 
violence be done to the consciences of any class of persons. No 
person would be thereby compelled to do any thing which hurts 
his conscience in the least, or to see any thing done which would 
wound his moral sensibility. 

" 5. Patriotism demands the repeal of this obnoxious law. 
Who doubts that the blessings of free government are enjoyed 
in proportion as the spirit of genuine Christianity prevails ? and 
that this is what makes the difference between the governments 
of Christian and pagan countries, and also between the govern- 
ments QL those countries for which Christianity has done most 
and those for which she has done least ? Nobody doubts it. 
Does not patriotism demand, then, that a law which goes to sub- 
vert Christianity should be repealed ? Christianity cannot exist 
without the Sabbath, and the tendency of the law in question 
is to destroy the latter, and thus, indirectly, the former. Love 
of country, then, should cry aloud for its repeal. 

" 6. Consistency demands it. We are not a nation of heathen, 
or of infidels. As a nation, we profess to embrace the religion 
of the lible, so far that we choose to be denominated a Christian 
country = But does not the law which requires men to do busi-1 
ness en the Sabbath deny this ? and does not consistency, there- W 
fore, demand its repeal ?" — Michigan Observer, 

" We are glad to perceive that a petition has been introduced 
before Congress, by Harmon Kingsbury, of Cleveland, Ohio, 
praying the repeal of that part of an act of Congress, regulating 
the Pcstoffice Department, which requires Postmasters to deliver 
letters, SfC. on Sunday. That act reads thus : " And it shall be 
the duty of the Postmaster, at all reasonable hours, on every day 
of the week^ to deliver, on demand, any letter, paper, or packet, 
to any person," &c. 

" But we object to this law, because, without the plea of neces- 
sity or mercy, it requires Postmasters to deliver letters on any 
portion of the Sabbath. 



SUNDAY MAILS. 105 

" It is inconsistent with the liberty of conscience^ and thus with 
a fundamental principle of our government. It requires officers 
of the government to do, w^hat the professed faith of ninety-nine 
hundredths of the people and the professed principles of the 
government of the United States condemn, as opposed to the 
law of God and the best interests of society. 

" It is inconsistent with the laws and usages of the government. 
The Constitution of the United States exempts the President 
from work on Sunday, by excepting Sundays from the ten days 
within which, if he does not return a bill, it becomes a law. 
The Supreme Court of the United States is forbidden, by law, to 
do business on Sunday. Both Houses of Congress and all the 
public officers claim the privilege of abstinence from public bu- 
siness on the Sabbath. The laws regulating the army and navy 
and the Military Academy of the United States enjoin the ob- 
servance of the Sabbath, and attendance upon Divine worship 
on that day. 

" Congress might, with as much propriety and right, enact a 
law requiring the President of the United States, and all heads 
of departments, and all auditors and clerks ; all officers and men 
in the army and navy, and all the judges of the courts of the 
United States, to attend to their usual business on Sunday, as to 
maintain the present law requiring unnecessary labor of Post- 
masters on the Lord's day. 

' ' But there is another view of this matter. In nearly all, if not 
all of the States, there are laws expressly enjoining the keeping 
of the Sabbath, or else declaring " the duty of all men publicly 
and at stated seasons'^'' to worship God. Every where the Sab- 
bath is the stated season selected for public worship. Now, let 
us consider the law of Congress as to Postmasters, and the law 
of Vermont, for example, as to the Sabbath. The latter declares 
(see Constitution of Vermont) that " every denomination of 
Christians ought to observe the Sabbath or Lord''s day^ and keep 
up religious worthip^ In Vermont, however, there are perhaps 
some hundreds of persons in the employ of the United States as 
Postmasters, citizens nevertheless of Vermont, and bound by its 
laws. The law of Congress forbids them to observe the Sab- 
bath, and requires them to abstain from public worship, for the 



106 THE SABBATH. 

purpose of being ready, at all reasonable hours, to deliver letters, 
&c. The law of their own State declares it to be their duty to 
attend public worship, and keep the day free from secular work. 
Thus, Congress goes into Vermont and forbids her citizens to 
mind her laws. 

" The law under consideration was the first statute enacted by 
Congress, requiring a violation of the religion of the land. We 
charge it with being an unauthorized interference with that 
religion. 

' ' When the Constitution provided that Congress should pass no 
law establishing religion, it surely was not intended to vest that 
body with the right to pass a canon desecrating one of the most 
sacred institutions of the religion of the nation. This law is 
against religion. It does not leave Christianity in the same 
circumstances as before it was passed. It is a legislative inter- 
ference with the rights of conscience, the liberty of the people, 
and the religion which lies at the basis of their civil and politi- 
cal institutions. We pray our legislators to review the farewell 
address of Washington, unless we have become too wise to be 
taught by such a teacher. ' Of all the dispositions and habits 
(says Pater Patrice) which lead to political prosperity, religion 
and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that 
man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to sub- 
vert these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.' Let 
them hear another of the men of olden times. Said Franklui, 
in the Convention that formed our present Constitution : ' The 
longer I live, the more I see convincing proofs that God governs 
in the afiairs of men ; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground 
without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise with- 
out his aid ? We have been assured in the sacred writings, that 
except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it ! 
I firmly believe this ; and I also believe, that without his con- 
curring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better 
than the builders of Babel ; our projects will be confounded, and 
we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by- word down to 
future ages.' Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers ! ' Them 
that honor me will I honor.' ' If thou turn away thy foot from 
the Sabbath, from doing my pleasure on my holy day, and call 



SUNDAY MAILS. 107 

the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt 
honor him, not domg thine own ways, nor finding thine own 
pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then will I cause thee 
to ride on the high places of the earth — the mouth of the Lord 
hath spoken it.' " — Gambler Observer. 

" The petition of Harmon Kingsbury we received some ten 
days ago, through the politeness of a friend at Washington, but 
had not then time to examine it. Of the particular circum- 
stances connected with its being brought before Congress in its 
present form, we know nothing. We are not among those who 
are forward in clamoring for legislative interference in matters 
of religion, and especially under circumstances calculated to ex- 
cite a suspicion that sectarian or party interests are at the bot- 
tom. But we have reason to fear that the aversion some of our 
fellow citizens have cherished against giving countenance to 
measures in which prominent parties have taken the lead, has 
betrayed them into the opposite extreme ; and under a notion of 
guarding against a union of Church and State, they have, un- 
warily, we trust, compromitted the interests of religion, and 
given undue advantage to its open and avowed enemies. There 
are certain great principles of religion and morality interwoven 
into the tissue of our Government and laws, which are as sacred 
to the statesman as to the Christian. Among these are an ac- 
knowledgment of God, of his providence, of the Bible, and of the 
institution of the Sabbath, &c. And while the nation is pro- 
hibited by its Constitution from passing any law which shall 
give the preference to one sect of Christians above others, it is 
equally bound, by the same charter of the people's rights, to 
secure to all the liberty of conscience, and to protect the great 
principles in which all agrees* It appears to us, therefore, that 
no law can be constitutional, which, by fair implication, infracts 
any of these rights. It was evidently never intended by the 
fathers of the republic, who devised the structure of the Govern- 
ment, or the sovereign people who sanctioned it, that a public 
acknowledgment of God, as he is revealed to us in the Christian 
Scriptures, and the sanctity of the holy Sabbath, should be lost 
sight of in public or m private life. If this conclusion be just, it 



108 THE SABBATH. 

is sufficient to settle the question brought before Congress in the 
memorial before that body. But there are other reasons which 
should influence our rulers in this matter. The great light of 
legislators is the light of experience. This is their only safe 
guide. Let us inquire, then, what nation has rejected God and 
profaned the holy Sabbath, whose history does not exhibit 
marked indications of his displeasure, in disastrous events, so 
nearly connected with these as their cause, that no mind, well 
disciplined in a correct process of reasoning, can mistake their 
connection ? History will afford lessons of instruction on this 
momentous subject, which it will be wisdom in all who love 
their country, (laying their religious views out of the question,) 
to learn and treasure up. 

" We hope that Congress will respect the prayer of their peti- 
tioner, not only because it is evidently in accordance with the 
principles of morality and religion, which are incorporated in the 
organization of our Government, and without which we cannot 
hope to prosper as a nation, but because the request appears to 
be reasonable, and the terms in which it is made unexceptiona- 
ble. No plea of necessity, mercy, or utility, can be urged in 
favor of obliging Postmasters to deliver letters on the Sabbath ; 
while every consideration of right, reason, and religion, forbids 
it" — Christian Advocate and Journal. 

Legislative Action. 

But perhaps the best proof of the present state of public 
opinion is to be found in the fact, that when a petition was pre- 
sented to the Legislature of New York, last winter, " praying 
the repeal of the laws for the observance of the Sabbath," &c., 
they, by a vote nearly unanimous, rejected the prayer of the 
petitioners. An extract from a " report of the Committee on the 
Judiciary, on the petition" above referred to, is here subjoined. 

"In Assembly, March 13, 1838. — Your committee do not ap- 
prehend any of the evils which the petitioners suggest as likely 
to follow from the observance of the Sabbath. There is nothing 
in the history of the past, or in the prospect of the future, which 
induces the belief that the laws on this subject will ' promote 
indolence,' or increase the opportunities and facilities to vice 



LEGISLATIVE ACTION. 109 

and immorality.' Viewing the Sabbath merely as a civil insti- 
tution, venerable from its age, consecrated as a day of rest by 
the usage of our fathers, cherished by the common consent of 
mankind throughout the nations of Christendom, we cannot con- 
cur with the petitioners in regarding the laws for its observance 
as ' glaring outrages,' nor participate in the ' profound astonish- 
ment' with which they profess to be ' filled' by reason of the 
* toleration of those laws in the present age.' The petitioners 
may safely dismiss their fear that the influence of the Sabbath 
will be corrupting to the public morals ; they need have no 
anxiety lest our citizens should cease to be an industrious peo- 
ple, because of their resting one day in seven : they may feel 
assured that ' liberty and equality' are in no danger of being 
subverted by the regulated observance of a day which witnesses, 
throughout this Commonwealth, ' the free exercise and enjoy- 
ment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination 
or preference.' (Constitution, article 7, section 3.) They will 
find, if they examine the subject, that the great end of our Gov- 
ernment is to secure, protect, and perpetuate both civil and re- 
ligious liberty, and that the Legislature has no more power to 
violate those rights, by treating churches and religious associa- 
tions as ' public nuisances,' than it has to treat literary societies 
or political meetmgs in the same light. 

" When the people of this State adopted the Constitution 
under which we live, they ordained that ' the free exercise and 
enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrim- 
ination or preference, shall be forever allowed in this State to 
all mankind ; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall 
not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify 
practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the State.' 
(Constitution, article 7, section 3.) But in thus protecting them- 
selves against the intolerance of any one religious sect, it was 
by no means their object to declare Avar against religion itself. 
On the contrary, they expressly provided that even this freedom 
of conscience, which is thus secured as sacred, shall in no case » 
permit any acts which are licentious, and, therefore, inconsistent 
with that public morality which has the Christian religion alone 
for its basis and support. 
10 



110 THE SABBATH. 

" In all countries some kind of religion or other has existed in 
all ages. No people on the face of the globe are without a pre- 
vailing national religion. Magistrates have sought in many- 
countries to strengthen civil government by an alliance v^ith 
some particular religion, and an intolerant exclusion of all others. 
But those who have wielded this formidable power have ren- 
dered it a rival, instead of an auxiliary to the public welfare ; a 
fetter, instead of a protection to the rights of conscience. With 
us it is wisely ordered, that no one religion shall be established 
by law, but that all persons shall be left free in their choice and 
in their mode of worship. Still, this is a Christian nation. 
Ninety-nine hundredths, if not a larger proportion of our whole 
population, believe in the general doctrines of the Christian re- 
ligion. Our Government depends for its very being on the virtue 
of the people ; on that virtue which has its foundation in the 
morality of the Christian religion, and that religion is the com- 
mon and prevailing faith of the people. There are, it is true, 
exceptions to this belief, but general laws are not made for ex- 
cepted cases. There are to be found, here and there, the world 
over, individuals who entertain opinions hostile to the common 
sense of mankind on subjects of honesty, humanity, and decency, 
but it would be a kind of republicanism with which we are not 
acquainted in this country, which would require the great mass 
of mankind to yield to, and be governed by, this few. 

" It is quite unnecessary to enter into a detailed review of all 
the evidence that Christianity is the common creed of this na- 
tion ; we know it, and we feel it, as we know and feel any other 
unquestioned and admitted truth ; the evidence is all around us, 
and before us, and with us. We know, too, that the exceptions 
to this general belief are rare ; so very rare that they are suffi- 
cient only, like other exceptions, to prove a general rule. 

" Such being the case, the question arises, whether the laws 
and usages required by the principles and feelings of the vast 
majority should give way to the peculiar dogmas of the very 
few ; whether they are oppressive on the conscience ; or whether 
they operate as a greater restriction on the natural rights of the 
very few than is indispensable to the good of society. 

" It is obvious that a negative is the only answer that can be 



LEGISLATIVE ACTION. Ill 

given to either of these inquiries. Our laws are entirely tolerant; 
they recognize no tests, disabilities, or discriminations ; there is 
no impediment to the free enjoyment, by every human being, of 
any religion whatever ; there is no proscription of those who do 
or do not belong to any particular sect, or to no sect, who believe 
in any particular religion or no religion ; all are alike protected 
by the laws and amenable to them. The desecration of the 
Sabbath by servile labor, sporting, gaming, hunting, and horse- 
racing, would, in a state of society like ours, be an outrage on 
the feeluigs and peace of the people, and would be incompatible 
with the ' exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and 
worship,' guarantied to them by the Constitution. Such acts, 
therefore, become positive offences, and are prohibited by law ; 
and such prohibition is no more a restraint of the natural rights 
of the solitary few, than hundreds of others in the statute book, 
or than is due to the social rights of the community as a whole. 
" Your committee desire to be understood as placing these 
laws exclusively on the ground of political and constitutional 
right. With the religious obligations which individuals are 
under to reverence the Sabbath, we have nothing to do ; those 
obligations are purely personal, not social ; as to them, every 
man is, of right, his own judge. Aside from usual considerations 
under which the people of this country are disposed to observe 
the Sabbath, there can be no question that, as a mere civil insti- 
tution, none could be devised more salutary. If it had no other 
effect than to promote the personal cleanliness and cessation 
from bodily labor, so essential to the health and physical energy 
of a population, it would be well worth legal protection. The 
experience of mankind has shown that occasional rest is neces- 
sary for the health of the laborer, and for his continued ability to 
toil : that ' the mterval of relaxation which Sunday affords to 
the laborious part of mankind, contributes greatly to the comfort 
and satisfaction of their lives, both as it refreshes them for the 
time, and as it relieves their six days' labor by the prospect of a 
day of rest always approaching; which could not be said of 
casual indulgence of leisure and rest, even were they more fre- 
quent than there is reason to expect they would be if left to the 
discretion or humanity of interested taskmasters.' (Paley, vol. 



112 THE SABBATH. 

3, p. 292.) In the absence of laws prohibiting labor on the Sab- 
bath, all that portion of the people who are in the service of 
others, who are employed as clerks, apprentices, in manufacto- 
ries, as laborers, and otherwise, would be without any protec- 
tion for their rights of worship or of rest; they would be left at 
the mercy of others, and subject to the caprice, cupidity, or 
legalized immorality of their employers. The added toil of the 
seventh day would only reduce the price, and the ' laborer him- 
self, who deserved and suffered most by the change, would gain 
nothing.' Even the beasts that toil for man are entitled to their 
rest, and it is found that they can accomplish more by ceasing 
from their work one day in seven. Thus the dictates of human- 
ity and the decree of nature alike require the observance of the 
Sabbath. 

" If the laws forbidding labor of one kind were repealed, there 
would be no reason why the repeal should not extend to all 
kinds ; why courts should not sit ; process issue ; jurors be com- 
pelled to serve, and parties and witnesses attend on the Sabbath ; 
why the militia should not be ordered out for parade and inspec- 
tion ; why town meetings should not be held ; in a word, there 
should be no reason why the people should not be at all times 
liable to be interrupted in the cons cientious discharge of their 
religious duties, and to a virtual prohibition of the ' free exer- 
cise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship.' 

" The humanizing effect of the Sabbath in promoting works 
of benevolence, charity, schools for the instruction of those who 
cannot obtain instruction elsewhere, and in strengthening the 
social relations of friends and neighbors, is among its most be- 
nign results. The principles which are then inculcated, in 
churches of all denominations, strengthen that public morality, 
good order, and obedience to the laws, so essential to the security 
of the State. 

" A black chapter in the history of the French revolution fur- 
nishes a monitory lesson as to the results of the prostration of 
all religion. There is nothing in those countries where the Sab- 
bath is disregarded to commend their example to our imitation. 
We are persuaded that the petitioners would not, as good citi- 
zens, be willing to see cock-fighting, horse-racing, theatrical exhi- 



UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE LAW. 113 

bitions, bull-baiting, and other demoralizing and brutal displays, 
take the place of the quiet and order, the tranquillity and peace, 
which reign throughout our borders on that day. And yet, if we 
abandon our customs, and break down those barriers against 
vice which now protect us, there is no reason to suppose that we 
should not be visited by those offensive results as well as other 
countries. We need hardly say, that while public virtue and 
morality prevail in this State, the people will never ratify, by a 
repeal of the law, the violation of the Sabbath. It is endeared 
to them by the example of their fathers, by the associations of 
their youth, and by the habit of their lives." 

Suppose it be admitted — and why is it not reasonable to do 
so ? — that all the states, having laws to protect the Sabbath are 
of the same opinion expressed above, is there not in this fact 
alone, overwhelming evidence that the great majority of this 
nation consider the Sabbath essential to national prosperity, and 
would rejoice to witness the repeal of the law requiring labor 
on that day ? 

Unconstitutionality of the Law, 

It is said that twenty-three of the states of this Union at least, 
have penal enactments against Sabbath desecration. Besides, 
the common law of England, up to the time of the revolution, it 
is believed, was adopted by all the colonies. Long before the 
American revolution it was decided that the desecration of the 
Sabbath was an offence at common law, which, all admit, recog- 
nizes the authority of Christianity. The Sabbath, then, is re- 
cognized both by statute and common law, by the states which 
compose this Union, as a day upon which courts cannot sit, or 
civil process issue ; the servant, apprentice, and laborer, are ex- 
empt from worldly avocations on that day, and protected in its 
enjoyment as a season of rest. And all entertainments, exhibi- 
tions, reviews, or other things tending to disturb the religious 
observance of the day, are prohibited. 

The first inquiry which now suggests itself is, have the states 
a right to make such laws ? for, if they have, then Congress has 
no right to make a law virtually abrogating state laws, by com- 
pelling a portion of their citizens to labor on Sunday. Have the 
10^ 



114 THE SABBATH. 

States, by the Constitution, committed any such power to Con- 
gress ? 

Instructions to the Delegates of the Continental Congress, 

The following extracts from the instructions given by many of 
the colonies to their delegates to the Continental Congress, in 
1776, will show, that in the reserved rights of the States are in- 
cluded all " that relates to their internal police, and the manage- 
ment of their own civil and religious affairs." 

North Carolina^ April 12, 1776. — " Reserving to this colony 
the sole and exclusive right of forming a constitution and laws 
for this colony." 

Rhode Island^ May 4, 1776. — " Taking the greatest care to 
secure to this colony, in the strongest manner, its present estab- 
lished form, and all the powers of government, so far as relates to 
its internal police and conduct of our own affairs, civil and re- 
ligious." 

Virginia^ May 15, 1776. — '^Provided, That the power of 
forming government for, and regulating the internal concerns of, 
each colony, be left to the respective colonial legislatures." 

Pennsylvania^ June 14,1776. — "Reserving to the people of 
this colony the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal 
government and police of the same." 

Connecticut, June 14, 1776. — " Saving that the administration 
of government, and the power of forming governments for, and 
the regulation of the internal concerns and police of each colony, 
ought to be left and remain to the respective colonial legis- 
latures." 

New Hampshire, June 15, 1776. — " Provided, the regulation of 
our internal police be under the direction of our own Assem- 
bly." 

New Jersey, June 21, 1776. — "Always observing, that what- 
ever plan of confederacy you enter into, the regulating the inter- 
nal policy of this province is to be reserved to the colony legis- 
lature." 



UNCONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE LAW. 115 

Maryland^ June 28, 1776. — "Provided the sole and exclusive 
right of regulating the internal government and police of this 
colony be reserved to the people thereof." 

South Carolina implies the same. 

The colonies would come into the Union only on certain con- 
ditions, expressed above ; and, as these conditions were nearly 
or quite universal among the colonies, can it be supposed that 
any of these conditions were surrendered by the delegates, or dis- 
regarded by the Constitution ? Certainly not. And each state 
now belonging to this Union has the same right to prohibit labor 
in its territory on Sunday, whether in relation to the mail and 
Postoffices, or other things, that the several colonies had. Be- 
sides these reserved rights, they now have, and always have had, 
B, natural and sxi inherent right to forbid the doing of those things 
which lead to crime and immorality, — and to encourage and pro- 
tect those things which conduce to a quiet, orderly, and moral 
life; and who ever doubted that the Sabbath, duly observed, 
tends to promote peace, virtue, good order, intelligence, and mo- 
rality among a people ? 

Hence, as well as from the caution with which the States 
finally adopted the Constitution, it is evident that they never 
intended to give to Congress power to interfere with their inter- 
nal legislation, in relation to morality and religion; and, least of 
all, to authorize them to compel the citizens of the States to 
trample on the Sabbath, a boon guarantied to them before the 
Constitution existed, and which has never been surrendered. In 
accordance with this sentiment, is an opinion expressed, in a pe- 
tition to Congress on the same subject, in 1828 and 1829, and 
signed, with others, by the Hon. John Cotton Smith, viz : " The 
General Government has not the constitutional power to autho- 
rize the violation of the Sabbath." 

Sabbath-breaking tends to deteriorate the sense of moral obli- 
gation, and to open the floodgates of iniquity; therefore, the 
states have not only the right, but they are in duty bound to for- 
bid and to prevent it. And Congress not only has the right, but 
is also in duty bound to forbid and prevent it, in the District of 
Columbia, and in all her Territories. 



116 THE SABBATH. 

The Hon. Wilson H. Lumpkin, of Georgia, says : " All nui- 
sances, which tend to annoy the community, or injure the health 
of the citizens in general, or corrupt the manners and morals of 
the people, subject their authors to severe penalties." And who 
cannot see that Sabbath-breaking tends to annoy the community, 
injure the health of those who enjoy no day of rest, and corrupt 
the manners and morals of the community ? 

Then it is clear, if the states have not only the right, but are 
in duty bound to prevent this immorality, this nation has no 
right to contravene the rights and wishes of the several states. 
For, in the language of the Hon. T. Frelinghuysen, on license 
laws, it may be said, " Men can hardly avoid looking up to the 
halls of legislation for standards of duty ; they expect to find 
models there that may be safely followed. ^ ^ ^ * Men 
will not take time to question the moral power of a legislature 
to make that right which God declares wrong. ^ * ^ ^^ \f 
they can plead, that in their practice they conform to law^ it is 
all fair weather with them, and you cannot easily convince them 
that they do wrong. ^ ^ ^ ^ You cannot reach the con- 
sciences of men standing behind this authority." And, so long as 
the people can shield themselves behind national law, requiring 
labor on Sunday, it will be almost or quite useless to attempt 
either to control their actions, by state laws, or by moral suasion 
reach their consciences, so as to induce them to " remember the 
Sabbath day to keep it holy." 

General Legislation of Congress. 

Michigan. — It can easily be shown that this law is in direct 
opposition to the general legislation of Congress, and the uniform 
practice of this government. In giving laws to Michigan, when 
a Territory, Congress declare, " that, in every community, some 
portion of time ought to be set apart for relaxation from worldly 
care and employments, and devoted to the social worship of Al- 
mighty God, and the attainment of religious and moral instruc- 
tion, which are in the higbest degree promotive of the peace, 
happiness, and prosperity of a people." And they further pro- 
vide that the first day of the week shall be kept and observed by 
the good people of the Territory as a Sabbath, holy day, or day 



GENERAL LEGISLATION OF CONGRESS. 117 

of rest from all secular employments. (Bishop Mcllvaine's 
Thanksgiving Sermon.) How does this reasoning condemn the 
law in question ! What stronger or more forcible arguments 
can be used to show its immorality and unconstitutionality than 
are found in this wise legislation for the Territory of Michigan ? 
Do not Congress here most indignantly and eloquently rebuke 
their own legislation ? And ought such contradictory acts as 
this, and the law complained of, to remain on their statute books ? 
Is not here evidence that the obnoxious clause was introduced 
without due consideration of its bearing on the Sabbath, and the 
moral condition of the nation ? 

It is discovered on examination that Congress did not directly 
enact this law. It was done by their regularly constituted 
agents, the G-ovemor and Judges of the Territory, whose duty 
it was to make the laws for said territory, and report them to 
Congress. See " An ordinance for the government of the ter- 
ritory of the United States, north-west of the Ohio River." 

" The Governor and Judges, or a majority of them, shall adopt 
and publish in the district, such laws of the original States, cri- 
minal and civil , as may be necessary, and best suited to the cir- 
cumstances of the district, and report them to Congress from 
time to time ; which laws shall be in force in the district until 
the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disap- 
proved of by Congress." Congress never disapproved of this 
law which accords with laws on this subject in many of the 
original States. So of course it may be said to be their act. 
Whatever one does by another, is, in law, considered as having 
been done by himself. January 7, 1839. 

Bill of Rights, 

Florida, — Extract from the bill of rights for the government 
of Florida, while a territory. — " To the end that the inhabitants 
may be protected in their liberty, property, and religion, no law 
shall ever be valid which shall impair, or in any wise restrain 
the freedom of religious opinions, profession, and worship." — 
(Gordon's Digest, section 1,134.) 

Here Congress declares invalid any law " which shall impair 
or in any wise restrain the freedom of religious opinions, profes- 



118 THE SABBATH. 

sions, and worship." And the law requiring Postmasters to 
labor on Sunday, if it do not restrain the freedom of religious 
opinions and professions^ certainly does of " worship ;" for how 
can one enjoy religious worship, while compelled to deliver let- 
ters, papers, &c. ? Both of these laws cannot be binding, any 
more than in the case of Michigan. 

Arkansas. — The following clause is found in the bill of rights 
for the government of the Territory of Arkansas. — " No law 
shall be made which shall lay any person under restraint, bur- 
den, or disability, on account of his religious opinions, profes- 
sions, or mode of worship." — (Gordon's Digest, section 1,122. 

By the law requiring labor on Sunday, the consistent Christian 
Postmaster is constrained to abandon his office, or he is restrained 
in his religious opinions and privileges. The two laws are not 
consistent with each other. Let it ever be remembered, that 
wherever Congress speaks of religion, in connection with our 
rights and happiness, it means the Christian religion. It does 
not distinguish between the different denominations of Chris- 
tians, but it does between Christianity and anti- Christianity, as 
is evident from what has already been said, and from the laws 
both of the States and of the Union. 

District of Columbia. — See Story's Appendix, U. S. Laws, 
chap. 86, sec. 1st, from which it appears that the District was 
to be governed by the laws then (February 27, 1801) existing 
in the States of Maryland and Virginia. Now if, on examina- 
tion, it shall appear that these two States had, at that time, 
laws against Sabbath desecration, which is more than probable, 
and laws favoring the Christian religion,* two things already 
commented upon will appear still more evident, viz : that when- 

* The law of Maryland referred to above, is as follows, viz : '' No 
person whatsoever shall work or do any bodily labor on the Lord's 
day, commonly called Sunday ; and no person having children, ser- 
vants, or slaves, shall command, or wittingly or willingly suffer any of 
them to do any manner of work or labor on the Lord's day., (works of 
necessity and charity always excepted,) nor shall suffer or permit any 
children, servants, or slaves, to profane the Lord's day by gaming, fish- 
ing, fowling, hunting, or unlawful pastime and recreation." Then fol- 
lows the penalty. 



POWERS OF CONGRESS. 119 

ever Congress speaks of religion^ it means the Christian religion, 
and that Congress itself^ while making laws for the government 
of its Territories, (as well as the States, while making laws to 
govern themselves,) believed that it had the right to require the 
people in said Territories to observe the Christian Sabbath. 
And, if they had such right, which few if any will deny, then 
certainly the law requiring labor in the Postoffice Department is 
utterly void. 

Powers of Congress — Postoffices, 

" Congress shall have power to establish Postoffices and post- 
roads." It is well known that, from this clause in the Constitu- 
tion, it is claimed that Congress derives all its powers in relation 
to this department. Two constructions have been, by able com- 
mentators, given to this clause ; one quite restricted, limited, 
and the other liberal. Among the advocates of the former, were 
Thomas Jefferson and President Monroe, and more recently a 
large portion of the south, (as expressed by their Legislatures 
in relation to " incendiary publications" passing through the 
mail ;) and among the advocates of the latter are Mr. Justice 
Story and others, referred to in his commentary on the Consti- 
tution, from which the following is an extract, specifying some 
of the things which the advocates of the latter construction 
claim, as naturally and properly inferential from the clause above 
given : " In the same manner, to establish Postoffices and post- 
roads is to frame and pass laws, to erect, make, form, regulate, 
and preserve them. Whatever is necessary, whatever is appro- 
priate to this purpose, is within the power." Now, whichever 
is the correct construction, it cannot for a moment be maintained 
that Congress has the power to do an unconstitutional and an 
immoral thing in the premises, any more than it can be that an 
individual can do an unlawful and an immoral thing for another, 
because he has from him a general or discretionary power of at- 
torney. He may, it is true, do all that is necessary and appropri- 
ate to be done, having a regard to the laws of his country, which 
bind him as a citizen, and to the laws of God, which hold him 
amenable to a higher tribunal ; and so, and only so, may Con- 
gress do. 



120 THE SABBATH. 

Few will contend that Congress has a right conferred by the 
Constitution, or that it has the disposition, to undermine the 
Christian religion, and this republic, upon which it is based, by- 
blotting out the Christian Sabbath, the admitted mainspring of 
both ; smce both the Sabbath and this religion have been recog- 
nized and protected by the Constitution. And it is not believed 
that this able commentator ever thought Congress had a right 
to require labor in the mail department on Sunday ; but rather 
that this subject would come under the head of reserved rights 
of the States, or the prohibitions of the Constitution. Doubtless 
Congress has power to do all things in relation to this establish- 
ment which would be for the general good, and not inconsistent 
with the religion which we, as a nation, have adopted, and 
which it is our duty as well as our interest to cherish. But, by 
almost universal consent, the nation over, it has been said, that 
it is not for the general good to allow labor on Sunday. Hence 
our State and Congressional laws on that subject. Any con- 
struction of the Postoffice law which leads to those statutes and 
practices which contravene the laws of God, and of the several 
States made in pursuance thereof, is a forced construction, tend- 
ing to the abrogation of the rights of conscience, and illy becomes 
a Christian people. Such a construction is also against the 
Constitution, in respect to the rights secured to the several 
States in this Union. Congress has all the power that exists, 
to direct in this establishment, as well as in relation to the 
United States' Courts, &c. But who, in his senses, will contend 
that Congress has a right to require that body to sit and transact 
their official business on the Lord's day ? No legislature on 
earth has a right to require an immoral act, and all good states- 
men, from the first dawn of this republic, have considered Sab- 
bath-breaking an immorality. It is by some contended, that in 
order to the perfection of the Postoffice improvement, it is ne- 
cessary to trample on the law of the Sabbath ; but this is an 
hypothesis without the least foundation, and must utterly fail. 

" This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which 
shall be made in pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law of 
the land." — (Story's Commentary, page 693.) Before it is said 
that the law of the United States making it imperative for 



THIS IS A CHRISTIAN NATION. 121 

Postmasters to violate the law of God, and of the several States 
made in pursuance thereof, is constitutional, it may be well to 
examine still further. 

Power of the Supreme Court. 

" But the judiciary of the United States has no general juris- 
diction to declare acts of the several States void, unless they are 
repugnant to the Constitution of the United States." — (Story's 
Commentary on the Constitution, page 687.) Now, if the Sab- 
bath-laws of the States are not repugnant to the Constitution, 
(which no one pretends, but which all, on the contrary, believe 
to be in exact accordance with that instrument, and the practice 
of the Government which administers it, except in the case of 
Postmasters, as above,) then it is most evident that the law re- 
quiring labor on Sunday is unconstitutional and void. 

Powers when in States, 

" But as the plan of the Convention aims only at a partial 
union, or consolidation, the State Governments would clearly 
retain all the rights of sovereignty which they before had, and 
which were not by that act exclusively delegated to the United 
States."— (Ibid, pages 148, 149.) The States had a right to 
Sabbath laws before the union, and they never delegated such 
right to the United States. 

Powers not delegated. 

" The powers not delegated to the United States by the Con- 
stitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the 
States respectively, or to the people." (Amendment of the Con- 
stitution.) 

" It is a general principle that all corporate bodies possess all 
powers incident to a corporate capacity, without being abso- 
lutely expressed." — (Story's Commentary, page 752 — § 1,900.) 
" All powers not delegated, and not prohibited, are reserved." — 
(Ibid, page 753.) 

This is a Christian nation, 

A few more extracts may now be added on this topic, before 
entering upon the last position in the argument. " Now there 
11 



122 THE SABEATH. 

will probably be found few persons in this or any other Christian 
country, who would deliberately contend that it was unreasona- 
ble or unjust to foster and encourage the Christian religion gen- 
erally, as a matter of sound policy, as well as of revealed truth. 
In fact, every American colony, from its formation down to the 
revolution, with the exception of Rhode Island, (if, indeed, that 
State be an exception,) did openly, by the whole course of its 
laws and institutions, support and sustain, in some form, the 
Christian religion ; and almost invariably gave a peculiar sanc- 
tion to some of its fundamental doctrines. And this has con- 
tinued to be the case in some of the States down to the present 
period, without the slightest suspicion that it was against the 
principles of public law, or republican liberty. Indeed, in a re- 
public, there would seem to be a peculiar propriety in viewing 
the Christian religion as the great basis on which it must rest 
for its support and permanence, if it be what it ever has been 
deemed by its truest friends to be, the religion of liberty." — 
(Story's Commentary, ^ 1,867.) 

Establishment of Religion, 

" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of 
religion. " — ( Constitution. ) 

" Probably at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, 
and of the amendment to it now under consideration, the gen- 
eral, if not the universal sentiment ui America was, that Chris- 
tianity ought to receive encouragement from the Slates, so far 
as it is not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, 
and the freedom of religious worship. An attempt to level all 
religion, and to make it a matter of State policy to hold all in 
utter indifference, would have created universal disapprobation, 
if not universal indignation." — (Story's Commentary, ^ 1868.) 

" The real object of the amendment was, not to countenance, 
much less to advance, Mohammedanism, or Judaism, or infidelity 
by prostratuig Christianity ; but to exclude all rivalry among 
Christian sects, and to prevent any national ecclesiastical estab- 
lishment, which would give to an hierarchy the exclusive pa- 
tronage of the national Grovemment."— Ibid, pages 700, 701.) 



ESTABLISHMENT OF REXIGION. 123 

Language used in the ordinance for the Government of Territo- 
ries^ <^c,, July 13, 1787. 

" For extending the fundamental principles of civil and reli- 
gious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, 
their laws and constitutions, are erected ; to fix and establish 
those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions, and gov- 
ernments, which forever hereafter shall be formed in said terri- 
tory," &c. — all laws and constitutions on the basis of Christian- 
ity, &c. — (See Appendix to Story's U. S. Laws, page 4.) 

*' Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind," &c. — (Ibid, art. 3.) 

Speaking of the times of holding courts in Vermont, it is said, 
" and when either of the said days shall happen on a Sunday, 
the said courts hereby directed to be holden on such day, shall 
be holden on the day next thereafter." — (Ibid, page 861.) This 
does not look like the language of a heathen or infidel nation, 
nor like disovming a Sabbath. 

Bishop ]\PIIvaine^s Thanksgiving Sermon, December 14, 1837. 

A few extracts will now be given from " A Sermon preached 
on the day of public thanksgiving and prayer, in the chapel of 
Kenyon College, by Right Rev. C. P. M'llvaine," and from its 
appendix. For the authorities in the appendix, the author ac- 
knowledges his indebtedness to a discourse by Rev. J. Adams, 
President of Charleston College, S. C, " on the relation of Chris- 
tianity to civil governments." 

The quotations are numerous, in order that opposers to Chris- 
tianity, who deny that this nation has adopted any religion, may 
see their error. 

" That some one religion, and that the Christian religion, is 
recognized as the religion of this nation and Government, and, 
as such, is interwoven in its laws and has a legal preference, 
though not ^ establishment,^ (in technical language,) over what- 
ever else has the name of religion, and especially over all forms 
of infidelity, we need no better assurance than the judgment of 
one whose seat is upon the bench of the Supreme Court of these 
United States ; whose business is the interpretation of the na- 
tion's laws, and whose qualification for that work there are 



124 THE SABBATH. 

none to dispute. Thus writes Mr. Justice vStory : * One of the 
most beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence, is that 
Christianity is a part of the common law, from which it seeks 
the sanction of its rights, and by which it endeavors to regulate 
its doctrines. And the boast is as true as it is beautiful. There 
never has been a period in which the common law did not re- 
cognize Christianity as lying at its foundation. It pronounces 
illegal, every contract offensive to its morals. It recognizes, 
with profound humility, its holidays and festivals, and obeys 
them as " dies non juridici.^'^ It still attaches to persons be- 
lieving in its divine authority, the highest degree of competency 
as witnesses; and until a comparatively recent period, infidels 
and pagans were banished from the halls of justice, as unworthy 
of credit.' — Inaugural Address at Harvard Institute, 

" Here, then, is one of our subjects of thankfulness to-day. 
We pause not to ask how far these truths are all sustained in 
the practice of our Government ; how far the ' dies non juridici,^ 
the Sabbaths of our land, are honored, when the representatives 
of a Christian people, in Congress assembled, find it convenient, 
at the close of a session, to employ its hallowed hours for pur- 
poses of hurried and clamorous legislation. We confine our 
attention to the bright spots in the picture ; and are thankful 
that our system of government, our common law, and adminis- 
tration of justice, were instituted by men having the wisdom to 
see how entirely the liberties and interests of this nation are de- 
pendent upon the teaching and keeping of the truths and insti- 
tutions of Christianity ; yea, and we are further thankful that 
we have still the eminent men, the official interpreters of our 
laws, who are not ashamed to maintain, unblinded by the new 
light which has recently been thrown on this subject, that 
Christianity is the legally recognized religion of our Govern- 
ment," 

From the Appendix, 
" That Christianity is the religion of this country, and, as 
such, is recognized in the whole structure of its Government, 
and lies at the foundation of all our civil and political institu- 



ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION. 125 

tions ; in other words, that Christianity, as really as republican- 
ism, is part and parcel of our laws, is evident from the following : 

" 1. Such was the relation of Christianity to civil government 
in the several States as they existed prior to the formation of 
the present federal Constitution, and there is no evidence that in 
acceding to said Constitution, they surrendered such relation, 
either in the General, or in their own particular Governments. 

" The colonies from which our present States originated, 
were planted by decidedly Christian people, to be Christian 
communities, and with such views of the relations between 
civil government and religion as were then universal in Christen- 
dom. The experiment of a nation without an established re- 
ligion had not then been tried ; nor did they think of instituting 
it. Christianity, therefore, was made part of their civil institu- 
tions, as well in their minuter branches as in their essential 
foundations. 

" In Massachusetts, and other northern colonies, a member- 
ship in the church established by law, was necessary to citizen- 
ship in the Commonwealth. In Virginia, and other southern 
colonies, the Church of England was by law established. 

" By and by, when the colonial character had ceased, and that 
of States had been assumed, the legal establishment of any one 
form of Christianity, in preference to all other forms of the same, 
was discontinued. In the adoption of the present federal Con- 
stitution, it was declared, among the amendments to that in- 
strument, that ' Congress shall make no law respecting an es- 
tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.' 
This article in the general Constitution, and the similar altera- 
tions in the laws of the several States above mentioned, by 
which the legal precedence of one form of Christianity over 
another was done away, are all the ground on which it can be 
asserted that either our General or State Governments have 
disowned all connection with the Christian religion, as having 
any more countenance in their legislation than infidelity or Mo- 
hammedanism. But is this a warrantable conclusion ? Is it not 
perfectly conceivable that Christianity may be the religion of 
the people, and of the people's Government, so far as that her 
great principles shall be assumed as the basis of their institu- 
11* 



126 THE SABBATH. 

tions, and the promotion of those principles distinctly counte- 
nanced in their laws and customs, at the same time that no 
religion is, in the technical sense, ' established,' and no one form 
of Christianity is distinguished above another ? To call religion 
into connection with the Government, so far as to employ min- 
isters of the gospel as chaplains, at the public charge, in Con- 
gress, and other public departments, is decided, by long-estab- 
lished practice, to be not unconstitutional. And thus it is de- 
cided that it was not intended by the article quoted above from 
the Constitution of the United States, to prevent the Government 
of the United States from being connected with religion ; with 
some religion in preference to all others ; or to base its institu- 
tions upon the principles of Christianity, instead of those of 
Deism or of the Koran. 

" How unlikely were the several States, in acceding to the 
present Constitution, to lay aside all connection with Christian- 
ity in the general institutions to which they gave birth, may be 
inferred from the consideration that in their own respective 
legislation, a close relation between religion and the Government 
had always subsisted ; and though a strong aversion had arisen 
to the national estaUishment of any one form of Christianity, 
none had grown up against a distinct recognition of Christianity 
itself as a religion of the nation ; that the representatives of the 
States in the Convention which formed the present Constitution 
were, for the most part, men of decidedly Christian principles ; 
and lastly, that in that Convention Sprayer was wont to he 
madeJ^ * * 

" 2. It is evident from sundry acts and institutions of the Gen- 
eral Government, and the constitutions of the several States, not 
only that Christianity is not excluded from all connection with 
our civil institutions, but that it is positively asserted as connected 
therewith in a very important degree. 

The Constitution of Vermont declares the duty of all Christians 
to observe the Sabbath and maintain public worship according 
' to the revealed will of God,^ The Constitution of Massachusetts 
expressly assigns as a reason for certain provisions that the en- 
couragement of art, science, and all good literature tends to the 
honor of God, the advantage of the Christian religion, (SfC. The 



ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION. 127 

Constitution of New Jersey provides that * all persons professing 
a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect shall be capable of 
being elected,' &c. That of Delaware declares the duty of peo- 
ple to assemble for public worship, and that piety and mo- 
rality are thereby promoted. Maryland makes ' a declaration 
of belief in the Christian religion^ necessary to admission to 
office. North Carolina provides that no persons who shall deny 
the truth of the Protestant religion ortheDiviae authority of the 
Old or New Testament, shall be capable of holding any office in 
the civil department of the state. # # # 

" Not only does the Constitution of the United States thus as- 
sert that the Lord Jesus Christ is ' our Lord' as a nation, but it 
legislates with regard to the Lordh day in such a manner as to 
teach that to us, as a nation, it is our sacred day. It provides 
that if any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten 
days [Sundays excepted^) after it shall be presented to him,' &c. 
But why are Sundays excepted ? Because, in the view of the 
law, they are dies non juridici, not working days in jurispru- 
dence. Why ? Evidently because the Sabbath is the holy day 
of the Christian religion. But the Constitution does not except 
the Sabbath of the Jews, or the holy days of the Koran. The 
inference is inevitable that it has adopted the Christian Sabbath, 
to the exclusion of the holy days of all other religions, and has 
thus taken it for granted that Christianity is the professed reli- 
gion of this government. In accordance with this, not only the 
President, but both Houses of Congress, the officers of the State, 
Treasury, Navy, and War Departments, are all discharged from 
work on the Lord's day ; their bureaus are closed. The Su- 
preme Court of the United States is by law directed to suspend 
its session on that day. The government appoints and main- 
tains ministers of the Grospel as chaplains in the navy. It is part 
of the laws of the government of the navy as enacted by Con- 
gress in 1800, that * the commanders of all vessels in the navy, 
having chaplains on board, shall take care that Divine service be 
performed in a solemn, orderly, and reverent manner twice a day, 
and a sermon preached on Sunday ; and that they cause all, or as 
many of the shijPs company as can he spared from duty, to attend 
every performance of the worship of Almighty God,^ 



128 THE SABBATH. 

" In the laws regulating the army of the United States, *it is 
earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers diligently to 
attend Divine service.' Punishment is provided for any officer 
or soldier ' v^ho shall behave irreverently at any place of Divine 
worship.' The officers and cadets of the Military Academy of 
the United States are positively required by law to attend Divine 
worship on Sunday. By an act of Congress in 1 808, the appoint- 
ment of a chaplain to each brigade of the army was provided 
for. By act of Congress in 1816, the appointment and compen- 
sation of a chaplain to each of its houses was provided for. Pro- 
vision was made by the same authority in 1818, for a chaplain to 
the Military Academy of the United States. The head of the 
Department of War (Governor Cass) in his official report for 
1832, thus urges on the government an appropriation for the 
building of a suitable place of Christian worship at West Point : 
' In a Christian community (he says) the obligations upon this 
subject will not be questioned ; and the expense of providing a 
suitable place of worship, especially as a chaplain is maintained 
there, cannot be put in competition with the permanent advan- 
tages of a course of religious instruction to such a number of per- 
sons; a large portion of whom are at that critical period which 
determines whether the future course of life shall be for evil or 
for good.' 

" 3. That Christianity is the professed religion of this govern- 
ment, and as such is laid at the foundation of our civil and politi- 
cal institutions, is the solemnly expressed opinion of our wisest 
official interpreters of law. The opinion of Mr. Justice 
Story, of the Supreme Court of the United States, has already 
been given. We will now add the decisions of the supreme 
courts of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. 

" Thus speaks the late Chief Justice Parsons, m delivering the 
opinion of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, in the case of 
Barnes vs. First Parish in Falmouth : — 

" ' In selecting a religion, the people were not exposed to the 
hazard of choosing a false and defective religious system ; Chris- 
tianity had long been promulgated, its pretensions and excellen- 
ces well known, and its Divine authority admitted. This reli- 
gion was found to rest on the basis of immortal truth ; to con- 



ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION. 129 

tain a system of morals adapted to man in all possible ranks and 
conditions, situations and circumstances, by conforming to which 
he would be ameliorated and improved in all the relations of 
human life ; and to furnish the most efficacious sanctions, by 
bringing to light a future state of retribution. And this religion, 
as understood by Protestants, tending by its efforts to make every 
man, submitting to its influences, a better husband, parent, 
child, neighbor, citizen, and magistrate, was by the people estab- 
lished as a fundamental and essential part of their Constitution.' 

" Thus speaks Chancellor Kent, in delivering the opinion of 
the Supreme Court of New York, 1818, in a trial for blasphemy, 
— (People vs. Ruggles.) After saying that ' contumelious re- 
proaches and profane ridicule of Christ and the sacred Scriptures 
(which are treated as blasphemy) are offences punishable at 
common law,' he proceeds : 

" ' The people of this State, in common with the people of 
this country, profess the general doctrines of Christianity as the 
rule of their faith and practice ; and to scandalize the author of 
these doctrines is not only in a religious point of view extremely 
impious, but even in respect to the obligations due to society, is 
a gross violation of decency and good order.' 

"Again: 'Though the Constitution has discarded religious 
establishments, it does not forbid judicial cognizance of those 
offences against religion and morality which have no reference 
to any such establishment or to any particular form of govern- 
ment, but are punishable, because they strike at the root of mo- 
ral obligation, and weaken the security of the social ties. The 
legislative exposition of the Constitution is conformable to this 
view of it. Christianity, in its enlarged sense, as a religion re- 
vealed and taught in the Bible, is not unknown to our law. 
The statute for preventing immorality (Laws, vol. i. p. 224) 
consecrates the first day of the week as holy time, and considers 
the violation of it immoral. The act concerning oaths (Laws, 
vol. i. p. 405) recognizes the common law mode of administer- 
ing an oath, ' by laying the hand on and kissing the gospels.' 
Surely, then, we are bound to conclude that wicked and mali- 
cious words, writings, and actions, which go to vilify those gos- 
pels, continue, as at common law, to be an offence against the 



130 THE SABBATH. 

public peace and safety. They are inconsistent with the reve- 
rence due to the administration of an oath, and, among other 
evil consequences, they tend to lessen in the public mind its re- 
ligious sanction.' 

" All the justices concurred in this decision. 

" In 1821, when a convention of New York revised the Con- 
stitution of the State, the decision above quoted was violently 
assailed by General Root, as hostile to liberty of conscience, 
when its learned author with equal clearness, defended it. The 
following is an extract from his speech on that occasion : 

" ' The authors of our Constitution never meant to extirpate , 
Christianity, more than they meant to extirpate public decency. 
It is in a degree recognized by the statute for the observance 
of the Lord's day, and for the mode of administering oaths. 
The court never intended to interfere with any religious creeds 
or sects, or with religious discussions. They meant to preserve, 
so far as it came within their cognizance, the morals of the coun- 
try, which rested on Christianity as the foundation. They 
meant to apply the principles of common law against blasphemy, 
which they did not believe the Constitution ever meant to abol- 
ish. Are we not a Christian people ? Do not ninety-nine hun- 
dredths of our fellow citizens hold the general truths of the Bible 
to be dear and sacred ? To attack them with ribaldry and ma- 
lice, in the presence of these very believers, must and ought to 
be a serious public offence. It disturbs, and annoys, and offends, 
and shocks, and corrupts the public taste. The common law, 
as applied to correct such profanity, is the application of com- 
mon reason and natural justice to the security of the peace and 
good order of society.' 

" Thus speaks the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, on the 
case of Updegraph vs. the Commonwealth, (trial on an indict- 
ment for blasphemy : 

" * Christianity, general Christianity, is, and always has been, 
a part of the common law of Pennsylvania ; not Christianity 
founded on any particular religious tenets ; not Christianity with 
an established church and tithes, and spiritual courts ; but Chris- 
tianity with liberty of conscience to all men. The first legisla- 
tive act in the colony was the recognition of the Christian reli- 



ESTABLISHJMENT OF RELIGION. 131 

gion, and establishment of liberty of conscience. ^ ^ This is 
the Christianity of the common law, incorporated into the great 
law of Pennsylvania ; and thus it is irrefragably proved that the 
laws and institutions of this State are built on the foundation of 
reverence for Christianity. On this the Constitution of the Unit- 
ed States has made no alteration, nor in the great body of the 
laws which was an incorporation of the common law doctrine 
of Christianity, as suited to the condition of the colony ; and 
without which no free government can long exist. Under the 
Constitution, penalties against cursing and swearing have been 
exacted. If Christianity was abolished, all false oaths, all tests 
by oath in the common form by the book, would cease to be in- 
dictable as perjury. The indictment must state the oath to be 
on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God. ^ * No society can 
tolerate a wilful and despiteful attempt to subvert its religion, 
no more than it would to break down its laws, a general, mali- 
cious, and deliberate intent to overthrow Christianity, general 
Christianity. This is the line of indication, where crime com- 
mences, and the offence becomes the subject of penal visitation. 
The species of offence may be classed under the followmg heads. 
1. Denying the being and providence of God. 2. Contumelious 
reproaches of Jesus Christ ; profane and malevolent scoffing at 
the Scriptures, or exposing any part of them to contempt and 
ridicule. 3. Certain immoralities tending to subvert all religion 
and morality, which are the foundation of all governments. 
Without these restraints, no free government could long exist. 
It is liberty run mad, to declaim against the punishment of these 
offences, or to assert that the punishment is hostile to the spirit 
and genius of our Government. They are far from being the 
friends to liberty who support this doctrine : and the promulga- 
tion of such opinions, and general receipt of them among the 
people, would be the sure forerunner of anarchy, and finally of 
despotism. No free government now exists in the world unless 
where Christianity is acknowledged, and is the religion of the 
country. Christianity is part of the common law of this State. 
It is not proclaimed by the commanding voice of any human su- 
perior, but expressed in the calm and mild accents of customary 
law. Its foundations are broad, and strong, and deep ; they are 



13S THE SABBATH. 

laid in the authority, the interest, the affections of the people. 
Waiving all questions of a hereafter, it is the purest system of 
morality, the firmest auxiliary, and only stable support of all 
human laws. It is impossible to administer the laws without 
taking the religion which the defendant in error has scoffed at, 
that Scripture which he has reviled, as their basis ; to lay aside 
these, is at least to weaken their confidence in human veracity 
so essential to the purposes of society, and without which no 
question of property could be decided, and no criminal brought 
to justice ; an oath in the common form on a discredited book 
would be a most idle ceremony. No preference is given by law 
to any particular persuasion. Protection is given to all by our 
laws. It is only the malicious reviler of Christianity, who is 
puaished. While our own free Constitution secures liberty of 
conscience and freedom of religious worship to all, it is not ne- 
cessary to maintain that any man should have the right publicly 
to vilify the religion of his neighbors and of the country.' " 

See further remarks on this subject in " Objections Answered," 
Objection No. 7, Chap. V. 

Practice of Congress, 

It has already been said that this law is opposed to the prac- 
tice of the national Legislature. They claim exemption from 
their ordinary labors on Sunday, while compelling their servants 
in the various Postoffices of the country to keep open doors and 
transact business every day in the week. During the last ses- 
sion of Congress, (on the 12th of May and the 8th of July,) the 
House was not permitted to proceed with business, on Sunday 
morning, by the steady and firm resistance of a large number of 
members, who refused to recognize the propriety of proceeding 
with their ordinary business on that day. The votes for ad- 
journment were nearly equally divided, and more than once lost 
by the casting vote of the chair. Members then declared that 
they would leave the house and not return before Monday morn- 
ing, unless brought in by force, and very properly contended that 
no authority existed to compel their attendance on the Lord's 
day ; and the House, on both occasions, was compelled to ad- 
journ, though in the last instance not until eight o'clock, a. m., 



THE LAW IS UNJUST. 133 

and the Senate at four. Members undoubtedly considered it 
unconstitutional, impious, and unjust to do business on Sunday ; 
for it cannot be supposed that they were moved by selfish con- 
siderations in regard to their present ease. Now, since those 
men would not consent to labor a few hours on one or two Sun- 
days in a year, with what consistency can they compel many 
thousands of their constituents to labor every Sunday in the 
year ? The history of this transaction inspires the hope that 
the next Congress will, without hesitation, grant the prayer of 
the petition. Then if men violate the sanctity of the Sabbath, 
they would do it on their own individual responsibility, and not 
under the sanction of national law. 

The Law is Unjust^ 

Because it is in derogation of the rights of conscience, and 
closes the door of office in a Christian nation, against Christian 
citizens; because it impairs the rights of individuals, secured by 
common and statute law, making Sunday a day of rest from 
labor. The law is unjust, not only in regard to Postmasters, 
but in regard to all classes, inasmuch as it impairs the obliga- 
tion of the Sabbath, and will form an excuse for requiring labor 
on that day, from those persons who most need the influence 
and the rest which it was designed to give ; thus opening a 
wide field for the exercise of oppression, and the debasement of 
the working classes of the community. 

Again : there is in this law manifest impropriety and injustice, 
because it is opposed to the law of G-od ; and, consequently, not 
only impious, but, in the very nature of the case, void. Our 
laws, and all good laws, are founded on the religion of the Bible ; 
and this law being against that religion, has no claim to respect. 
No legislative body on earth can make it legal, or binding upon 
a single individual. Can the civil law, deriving all its force 
and authority from the moral law, transcend and contradict it ? 

HARMON KINGSBURY. 

Cleveland, September^ 1838.^ 

* Owing to feeble health, the author has had assistance from Rev. J. 
C. Lord, Buffalo, in arranging some of the facts and arguments in the 
foregoing Appendix. 
12 



134 THE SABBATH. 



Twenty-fifth Congress. Third Session, 

PETITION OF TRUMAN HASTINGS AND OTHERS, 

Praying the repeal of that part of the act of Congress^ regulat- 
ing the Postoffice Department^ which requires Postoffices to he 
kept open on Sundays. 

December 12, 1838. 

Referred to the Committee on the Postoffice and Post-roads, and 
ordered to he printed. 

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 

States, in Congress assembled : 
Your petitioners, T. Hastings, J. 0. Choules, J. C. Lord, Thomas 
Famham, Wm. R. Allen, A. T. Hopkins, Elisha Hayward, J. 
Mayhew, H. G. Nott, citizens of Buffalo, members of the ex- 
ecutive committee of the American Bethel Society, an associ- 
ation uniting a majority of the principal denominations of 
Christians in the United States, 
Respectfully Show : 

That the society represented by your petitioners is in- 
tended for the benefit of those engaged in the business of inland 
navigation in the United States, whose moral condition has long 
occupied the attention of Christians and philanthropists. Your 
petitioners are persuaded that the startling increase of vice and 
immorality among this class of citizens has resulted from the 
Sabbath desecration which is almost universal upon the canals, 
rivers, and lakes of the United States. 

And while your petitioners do not seek any legislation from 
Congress on the subject of this evil, believing that the laws of 
the States, and a wholesome public sentiment, are the proper 
correctives, they nevertheless feel bound to represent to your 
honorable body, that the existence of a national law, enforcing 
labor on Sunday, by compelling Postmasters to violate that day, 
is giving the sanction of Congress to an immorality, shielding it 
from the operation of the Legislatures of the States, and hin- 
dering the ejQTorts of the benevolent. If men, in the practice of 
any sin, can entrench themselves behind law, it is next to im- 



PETITION OF TRUMAN HASTINGS AND OTHERS. 135 

possible to accomplish their reformation ; and your petitioners 
are unwilling to believe that Congress would intentionally sanc- 
tion a practice which violates an express command of God, and 
which is prohibited, as an immorality, by at least twenty-three 
States of the Union. 

Your petitioners believe that there is no necessity for this 
law, even on the supposition that public opinion demands that 
Postoffices should be open on Sunday, because its repeal would 
leave the matter to the discretion of the Postoffice Department, 
which has, in fact, independently of the law, always exercised 
its authority over the whole subject. If, them, the Sabbath 
should continue to be desecrated, it could not be charged upon 
the legislation of Congress, nor claim the express sanction of law. 

Your petitioners believe the law to be impolitic, unconstitu- 
tional, and unjust, for reasons fully set forth in the petition of 
Harmon Kingsbury, already before your honorable body, and 
the Appendix thereto, which your petitioners pray may be re- 
ceived and considered as a part of this petition. 

Your petitioners appeal to your honorable body, as the repre- 
sentatives o^ a Christian nation, to repeal a law which renders 
the violation of a fundamental principle of Christianity impera- 
tive ; which compels 12,000 citizens to bind themselves by an 
oath to the desecration of the Sabbath ; which directly interferes 
with the rights of conscience ; which sanctions the violation of 
the law of G-od ; the municipal laws of the States, and para- 
lyzes the efforts of the friends of order, morality, and religion. 

Your petitioners appeal to your honorable body, as the legis- 
lators of a nation whose territory is destined to be occupied by a 
hundred millions of souls. Posterity demands of you that you 
lay carefully the foundations upon which depend the perpetuity 
of our institutions, and the continuation of our civil and religious 
liberties. We inherit them from a people distinguished by their 
adherence to the morality of the Bible, and by a legislation con- 
formed to the spirit of Christianity. The fathers of English 
liberty were the Puritans, The founders of our republic were 
descended from the same ancestry, and deeply imbued with the 
same spirit. 

Is there any thing in the history of European convulsions for 



136 THE SABBATH. 

the last fifty years, which should embolden us to depart from 
the principles and practice of our ancestors, by legislating away 
the Sabbath ? Will your honorable body, claiming for your- 
selves the rest of the Sabbath, deny it to any portion of your 
constituents ? Will you permit such a precedent to remain on 
your statute book ? We cannot think you will ; but confidently 
expect, from the intelligence and patriotism of your honorable 
body, the repeal of this law. And we humbly pray that this 
petition, and the documents accompanying it, may be referred to 
a select committee, that the subject may be fully examined and 
reported, and receive that attention which its importance and 
the interest it has awakened demands ; and your petitioners, &:c. 
(Signed.) 
Buffalo, Septemler 25, 1838. 



CONGRESSIONAL SESSIONS ON SUNDAY. 

In the petitions last presented, the fact that Congress had con- 
tinued its sessions into the day of rest was alluded to. The sub- 
joined remarks, by Rev. E. F. Hatfield, of New York, publish- 
ed in a periodical of that city, will be read with interest. 

" In 1829, an immense number of petitions for the repeal of 
the law, were presented to Congress from every section of the 
land. And though it was admitted ' that the history of legisla- 
tion in this country afforded no instance in which a stronger ex- 
pression had been made, if regard was had to the number, the 
wealth, or the intelligence of the petitioners,' yet Congress re- 
fused to grant their prayer. After a protracted discussion, the 
representatives of a Christian people deliberately determined to 
continue this national violation of the Sabbath. Thus, by a sol- 
emn act of legislation, the twentieth Congress refused to do hom- 
age to the Most High God. 

" It was to be expected that Congress would soon cease to show 
any outward regard at all for this sacred day, which, under penal- 
ty of removal from office, they had already required every Post- 
master in the land, and his assistants, to desecrate. According- 
ly, we find the very next Congress sitting, for the ordinary trans- 



SUNDAY SESSIONS. 137 

action of public business on the Sabbath morning previous to the 
close of their first session, until four or five o'clock. The twen- 
ty-second Congress closed its existence on Monday, March 4th, 
1833. On the Saturday evening previous, Mr. Poindexter mov- 
ed, that when the Senate adjourn, it adjourn to meet on Sunday 
morning at 10 o'clock. The motion was opposed with great 
earnestness by Mr. Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, and advocated 
by Mr. Clay, of Kentucky. Mr. C. said that ' he professed as 
great a regard for the Sabbath, and the laws of G-od, as any 
man ; but he regarded legislation in the same light as an emi- 
nent American professor did the science of mathematics, as quite 
sacred enough to be pursued on the Sabbath.' Such a profane 
sentiment could not then be digested by an American Senate. 

" The motion was lost — thirteen voting in favor, and twenty- 
three against it. Both Houses of Congress, however, continued 
their sittings that night, and until five o'clock on Sabbath morning. 

" The twenty-fourth Congress, during its first session, en- 
croached, in two instances, on the Sabbath. On Saturday, 
March 26th, in the case of a contested election, it was determined 
on one side not to adjourn without a final vote on the question, 
and on the other side, the day was spent in speaking against 
time. And thus, for the merest party purposes, the sitting was 
protracted until half-past four o'clock on Sabbath morning. The 
session closed on Monday, July 10th. The House of Represent- 
atives continued its sitting on the morning of the previous Sab- 
bath until five o'clock. 

" The second session of the twenty-fifth Congress was closed on 
Monday, July 9th, in a much more disgraceful manner. The Sen- 
ate were sitting on the Sabbath previous until four in the morning, 
and the House until eight in the morning. After midnight many 
of the members of the House withdrew, some to their rest, others 
to get ready to leave the city in the cars at six o'clock on Sabbath 
morning. A call of the House was most rigidly enforced. The 
Sergeant-at-Arms was sent to arrest the absent members. The 
sixteen who were found at the depot, resisted the order, and took 
their departure. They were held to answer, at the commence- 
ment of the next session, for their conduct m refusing to sit for 
the transaction of public business on the Sabbath. Other mem- 
12^ 



138 THE SABBATH. 

bers, who had been elsewhere arrested, were the next day re- 
lieved, by an act of clemency, from the payment of fines. Just 
before the adjournment, at eight o'clock, two members from 
Tennessee came to an open and violent rupture. One of them 
had been arrested, and arraigned before the House for his ab- 
sence, but was excused on payment of the penalty. 

" The third session of the same Congress has but recently 
closed. On the Saturday evening previous a motion was made 
by Mr. Adams, of Massachusetts, that when the House adjourn, 
it shall adjourn to meet on Sunday, at ten o'clock in the morning. 
The motion did not prevail, eighty-nine voting in favor, and 
ninety-one against it. Both Houses continued their sittings until 
four o'clock on the morning of the Sabbath. At three o'clock, in 
the Senate, a joint resolution was presented by Mr. Buchanan, 
of Pennsylvania, that when both Houses adjourn, they adjourn to 
meet to-morrow at 10 o'clock, A. M. In presenting the resolu- 
tion, he declared that ' if the Apostle Paul himself were on 
earth, and could see the number of bills for the relief of suffering 
and deserving claimants on the justice or generosity of govern- 
ment, he would number the measures to be considered on the 
Sabbath among works of charity and mercy.' The resolu- 
tion was adopted by both houses ; and accordingly, after six 
hours' recess, they met again, and continued, with a very short 
intermission, the transaction of business until after midnight. It 
was the busiest day of the session ; and, to the shame of the na- 
tion be it spoken, there was a very good attendance. We are 
happy to learn that about twenty members * remembered the Sab- 
bath day,' and declined breaking it by attending to neglected legis- 
lation. That Sabbath day was, by an act of Congress, blotted out 
from the sacred calendar. The question came before them dis- 
tinctly, as it never had done, but in one instance before — ' Shall 
we, or shall we not, trample the Sabbath under foot V and the 
answer was, ' Aye^ we will.'' Like the proud tyrant of Egypt, 
they said, in fact, ' Who is the Lord, that we should obey his 
voice ? We know not the Lord, neither will we keep his law.' 

" And what will be the end of these things ? Congress has 
made rapid progress in this matter for ten years — more than in 
forty years before. And during ten years, we have been repeat- 



SUNDAY SESSIONS. 139 

edly scourged. ' Shall I not visit for these things ? saith the 
Lord ; and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as 
this?' 

" In a republic, a correct judgment concerning the morals of a 
people may be formed by ascertaining v^rhat is the character of 
their magistrates. A community must themselves have become 
corrupt, before they can consent to place, or uphold in office, men 
of acknowledged immorality. That people can have but little 
regard for the authority of God, v^ho are willing to bestow the 
highest offices in their gift on Sabbath-breakers and despisers of 
religion. These are their most precious benefactions. They can 
bestow no greater. They can give no more signal manifesta- 
tions of their approbation. And yet, though free to choose, they 
select from the vast multitude those to receive these favors who 
are actuated by not the least regard to the glory of God. No 
earthly considerations could have induced the early settlers of 
New England thus to have rew^arded impiety. Office-holders 
study well the prejudices and preferences of the men by whom 
they are kept in office. If they knew, that for every enactment 
of impiety, on their return from the seat of legislation, they 
should hear the voice of indignant rebuke from every hamlet of 
their district, and should be dropped at the next election, they 
would not dare to defy the God of heaven. The impious legis- 
lator represents a mass of impiety at home. This he knows, and 
is thus emboldened in his course of sin. 

" The members of the last Congress knew what they were do- 
ing, when they blotted out one Sabbath day from the calendar. 
They well knew the character of the men whom they represented. 
Never had they heard their constituents declare, that a regard 
for the moral law was an indispensable qualification for office. 

" That these men did not reckon without their host, is painful- 
ly evident. Scarcely a voice has been raised to rebuke this high- 
handed profanity. Very few of the conductors of the press have 
sounded a single note of warning. What else could we expect 
from the daily press, that know no Sabbath ? They could not 
speak, except in a very few instances, without sealing their own 
condemnation. But the weekly papers had passed it by ; and 



140 THE SABBATH. 

even our religious periodicals have given but a paragraph or tw© 
of faint rebuke. Some of them which, week by week, made the 
land to ring with notes of warning, when a legislator from Maine 
was shot down in cold blood, are almost silent in regard to this 
more signal defiance of the Almighty. It is not talked of in the 
marts of business, nor the place of concourse, and scarcely in the 
great congregation. The people slumber. The slightest breach 
of the Federal Constitution is enough to wake up the Union — a 
thousand presses teem with the complaints of an injured people. 
But the constitution of God's moral government, the most sacred 
articles in that constitution, may be trodden under foot by the 
representatives of a nominally Christian people, and the nation 
feels it not. ' All things continue as they were.' 

" But we have slept long enough. It is time to act. Infideli- 
ty has gained a signal triumph. If the people will bear this en- 
grossment of the Sabbath for national legislation, if they will 
take it patiently, and smile upon their guilty representatives, 

' Next year the fatal precedent will plead.' 

The Sabbath will be taken whenever a corrupt legislature may 
think that it is wanted. ' Thus on, till' its sacredness shall be 
gone, and the occurrence which we now deplore shall, by its 
frequency, cease to excite a feeling of surprise. And if Con- 
gress will sit on the Sabbath, why should not our State legisla- 
tures ? What is to hinder them ? particularly in those sections 
of the land where religious restraint is but feeble. And when it 
has become a common occurrence in the west and south-west, 
how long will it be before the venerable State House of Boston 
shall witness such a sight ? And when the high places have be- 
come thus polluted, what is to withstand the streams of corrup- 
tion that shall thence be poured down upon the land ? Our 
public men, from the highest to the lowest, will, without re- 
straint, and at length without remorse, pursue their own course 
of business or pleasure on the Sabbath day. 

" So rapidly have the temptations to this vice accumulated 
among us for the last ten years, and so large have been the im- 
portations of habitual Sabbath-breakers from lands where the 



SUNDAY SESSIONS. 141 

pilgrim's Sabbath is unknown, that the evil has become of the 
most alarming kind. The standard must be lifted up. The 
hosts of God must rally round it. Every one of the people of the 
Most High must take his stand — must search himself, and see if, 
in this respect, there be any evil w^ay in him, and break off his 
sins by righteousness." 

From the above facts is there not conclusive evidence that this 
institution is losing its hold on the public conscience ? At first 
Congress only occasionally, and for a fev^ minutes, or at most, 
hours, desecrated, in this public manner, that holy rest. The 
case is parallel with that of Sunday mails, boats, and stages. 
They were started at first, fearfully, cautiously, and hesitatingly; 
but, gaining by little and little, a thousand mails can now be 
sent; a thousand boats and stages can be kept in motion, 
the whole of that day, and during all the Sundays in the year, 
instead of occasionally an hour or two on one of them. So Con- 
gress now, with little apparent compunction, can hold its sessions 
during a whole Sunday; and soon, unless the act should meet 
with merited rebuke from all parts of the nation, it is to be 
feared that they will be as ready to do business on that, as on 
any other day of the week. 

What would be the result, should every friend of the Sabbath, 
puUish to the world, that the men who thus trampled on the 
laws of the Sabbath, are unworthy our confidence, and should 
never again be elected to enact and administer laws for a Chris- 
tian people ? No national legislature, during the life of this 
generation, would be guilty of the same impropriety. And can 
men, who thus wantonly violate the laws of God and man, be 
safely trusted as the leaders and guides of our national concerns ? 
Can God approve of such conduct ? Will he bless a people who 
do, and who countenance such highhanded rebellion ? Will he 
hold the man guiltless who, under such circumstances, feels no 
anxiety for the safety and honor of his holy day ? And do the 
friends of the Sabbath yet sleep? As well, and perhaps more 
safely might they sleep on Etna or Vesuvius. The man who 
can now hold his peace, and neglect to cry aloud, gives little, if 
any evidence, that he is awake to his duty, or has a proper re- 
gard for the welfare of his country, or the honor of his God. 



142 THE SABBATH. 

Philanthropist, Patriot, Christian, where are your sensibilities, 
your sense of obligation to your country, to the world, and to 
God ? Is it possible that you will longer imitate the criminal 
example of those who, by their apathy and silence suffered Sun- 
day mails, boats, stages, and rail-cars to prevail in this land ? Is 
it possible that you will thus aid in introducing a practice which, 
it is to be feared, will result in a total disregard of that day, not 
only by our national legislature, but by all the departments of 
our government, from the highest to the lowest ! Longer silence 
on your part is treason : — treason against your country, the 
church, and the court of heaven. And it is difficult to know which 
are most in the fault, you or the more immediate aggressors. 

Watchivian, " where art thou ?" comes sounding from above, 
with a voice of loudest thunder, reverberating from center to cir- 
cumference, and do you not hear it ? Or, hearing, is it unheed- 
ed ? Awake, awake^ for the corner stones of this republic are be- 
ing removed; the last hope of the good man is flickering, and 
ready to be extinguished. Awake, or the celestial lights of re- 
publican liberty and Protestantism will grow less and less bril- 
liant until they are shrouded in the thick darkness of infidelity 
and atheism. And, for the consequences of such a calamity, 
hastened by your neglect, prepare to render an account at the 
judgment. God cannot hold you guiltless for such neglect of 
duty. 

GOVERNOR ELLSWORTH. 

We add the following appropriate remarks on the same sub- 
ject, by Gov. Ellsworth, of Conn., in his Message to the Legis- 
ture of that State. 

" Connected with Congress as we are, and feeling its influence 
and example, it will not be deemed presumptuous to remark — 
* * Its late appropriation of the day of rest and devotion, to 
secular business, is a disregard of an institution of divine ap- 
pointment, consecrated in the aff'ections and hallowed by the 
usages of a large portion of the citizens of the United States. 
The Christian religion owes its extension, and its power over 
the consciences of men, to the institution and influence of the 
Sabbath. Repeal that institution, or treat with mdifference its 



SABBATH UNION. 



143 



observance, as was done in the National Convention of France, 
and you banish religion, as they did, fmHi the land. Let me 
say, fellow citizens, it is not politid^^i^er ; it is not extent of 
territory; nor accumulated wealth ;/ioi knowledge, nor science, 
alone, which renders a people really 'great and truly happy. 
' The most High ruleth in the kingdoms of m^i, and giveth it 
to whomsoever he will." / 



SABBATH UNION. 

" * The General Union for promoting the observance of the 
Christian Sahhath,"^ was formed in the city of New York, May 
9, 1828, by about 200 ministers and laymen, of different denom- 
inations, from fifteen States and Territories. The Constitution 
provides that the Society should ' consist indiscriminately of the 
friends of morality and religion of all denominations, who may 
choose to combine their influence for the promotion of this inter- 
esting object;' and states that, 'as the weapons of the Chris- 
tian warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, the means employed 
by this Society for effecting their design, shall be the influence 
of personal example, of moral suasion, with arguments drawn 
from the oracles of God, from the existing laws of our country, 
and appeals to the consciences and hearts of men.' The follow- 
ing was the pledge required of all the members of the Union : 
' We, whose names are undersigned, do hereby acknowledge 
our obligation to keep the Sabbath according to the Scriptures ; 
and we pledge ourselves to each other, and to the Christian pub- 
lic, to refrain from all secular employments on that day, and 
from traveling in steam-boats, stages, canal-boats, or otherwise, 
except in case of necessity or mercy ; and to aim at discharging 
the duties connected with that sacred day ; and also, that we 
will, as circumstances admit, encourage and give a preference 
to those lines of conveyance, whose owners do not employ them 
on the Sabbath.' 

" A forcible ' Address to the People of the United States,' writ- 
ten by Rev. Lyman Beecher, was published, with the proceed- 
ings of the Convention, and circulated throughout the country. 



144 THE SABBATH. 

It set forth the importance of the Christian Sabbath ; that * it 
appeared that the respect of former generations for the Sabbath 
was in many places gone, and in all places fast failing before the 
inundation of business and pleasure ; that commerce, on our 
seaboard, and rivers, and canals, and turnpikes, is putting in mo- 
tion a secular enterprise, which is fast and fearfully annihilating 
the national conscience in respect to the Sabbath, and rolling 
the wave of oblivion over that sacred day ;' that the members 
of the Convention would make ' the attempt to preserve to the 
nation the invaluable blessings of the Sabbath day;' and that 
' by the grace of God, the members of this Union will exercise 
their rights of property, for the preservation of the Sabbath, of 
their families and their beloved country, unangered and unawed.' 

" Auxiliaries were formed in various parts of the country, cor- 
respondence was carried on extensively by friends of the Sab- 
bath, and public attention was directed to the desecration of the 
day, and the means of preventing it. The parent Society held 
three public anniversaries, and it was thought that the Society 
was established on a sure foundation as one of the great Benevo- 
lent Institutions of the age. Their Annual Reports were pub- 
lished and widely circulated. 

" Contemporaneous with these efforts were the publication of 
De Vinne's Tract on the Sabbath, a copy of which was distributed 
to every family in this city ; public meetings in various parts of 
the country to call public attention to the subject; the publica- 
tion of Rev. Heman Humphrey's Essays on the Sabbath ; the 
circulation of petitions to Congress to repeal the law requiring 
Postoffices to be opened on the Lord's day, and consequently 
obliging the mails to be transported during holy time ; and 
numberless handbills, essays, sermons, &c., calling the attention 
of the people to the subject, and the establishment of the Pioneer 
line of stages to run during six days of the week between Buf- 
falo and Albany, N. Y. [But the Petitions and lines of stages 
had no immediate connection with this Union, nor did its con- 
tinuance depend on their success or defeat. Those were indi- 
vidual enterprises, and were prosecuted mainly by individual 
effort.] 

" Among those who took an active part in the attempts made 



SABBATH UNION. 145 

to presence the Sabbath were the late Jeremiah Evarts and Jo- 
siah Bissel, Jr., naraes that should be held in everlastmg remem- 
brance by all the friends of the Lord's day. Of the former, it 
was well observed by Rev. Gardiner Spring, in his * Tribute to 
the memory of the late Jeremiah Evarts, Esq.,' that 'he took a 
most active part in the measures adopted to prevent the trans- 
portation of the mail on that sacred day ; wrote circulars and 
petitions, and presented them for signatures ; conversed exten- 
sively with members of Congress on this subject; and compiled 
and published the pamphlet, consisting of extracts from memo- 
rials to Congress from different parts of the country on this mat- 
ter, together with an introduction and conclusion written by 
himself 

" No public meeting was held after the third anniversary, nor 
any publication issued by the Society. The Society and its 
auxiliaries were soon considered defunct. The Corresponding 
Secretary published a brief statement in the religious newspa- 
pers, assigning the reasons for the early discontinuance of the 
public meetings, and the cessation of action on the part of the 
Society. These reasons, and others, may be enumerated thus : 

1. No suitable G-eneral Agent could be obtained to superin- 
tend the affairs of the Society. 

Five or six gentlemen of eminent abilities, among whom were 
Frelinghuysen, Mcllvaine, Fisk, and Edwards were successively 
appointed, with the offer of a sufficient salary, but they all de- 
clined the appointment. 

2. The members of the Executive Committee, being men bu- 
sily engaged in their respective callings, could not devote the 
time requisite to conducting the business of the Society alone. 

3. Some of the officers of the Society did not refrain from tra- 
veling on the Lord's day. 

4. Some ministers of the Gospel, in various parts of the United 
States, in traveling to their [church conferences and judicatories], 
to the annual meetings of the Religious and Benevolent Societies 
and on other occasions, frequently traveled on the Sabbath. 
[And many laymen followed their example.] 

5. The effort made by the members of the Convention that 

13 



146 THE SABBATH. 

formed the General Union was spasmodic; and too many of 
them were recreant to the Pledge they had adopted. 

6. Too much reliance was placed on human effort, and Chris- 
tians generally did not wrestle in prayer for the divine interpo- 
sition and blessing. 

7. Churches did not generally discipline their members for 
desecrating the Sabbath. 

8. The officers of the Society were not sustained by the pray- 
ers, benefactions, and personal efforts of ministers and pious 
laymen throughout the country. 

9. And lastly the officers of the Society did not feel, as they 
should have done, the value of the great trust committed to 
them, nor evince that devotedness to the cause which was re- 
quisite, with the divine blessing, to arouse the nation to a sense 
of its sin, and bring about its abandonment." 



CHAPTER III. 

EXPEDIENCY OF FEARLESS AND UNITED EFFORT. 

Some of the friends of the Sabhath say, that, in order to do 
any thing effectually for the cause, it must not be generally 
known that any systematic efforts to this end are being made. 
To print a paper, or employ a clergyman to lecture for this ob- 
ject, or to appoint a committee to superintend the requisite 
efforts, would, in their opinion, be the ruin of the whole enter- 
prise. We must use such means only as will not awaken sus- 
picion, or excite opposition to the cause. 

It is conceded that we ought to be wise in projecting plans, 
and inoffensive, as far as may be, in executing them — that it 
would be wrong to awaken an unnecessary alarm, or to provoke 
opposition, merely for the purpose of seeing the wicked rage. 
But truth, while it is spoken in love, must be presented with its 
edge neither blunted nor covered with a scabbard. It is only 
when thus presented, that it does good and reaches the con- 
science ; and whenever it reaches the conscience, it gives un- 
easiness and pain. But the same instrumentality that wounds, 
frequently and faithfully applied, will certainly effect that cure 
which can in no other way be accomplished. Because the 
wounded man threatens, storms, and rages, he should not be left 
to die without efforts for his recovery ; but, with increased bold- 
ness and vigor, truth should repeat stroke after stroke, until the 
victim is not only dead, bat made alive again by her all-conquer- 
ing power. 

It is pretended that we ought to begin moderately and silently 
— that we should write now and then an article, and publish it 
in some periodical already established — and that even this 
should be concealed as much as possible from the wicked. 

Now, even if this did not subject us to the charge of Jesuitical 



148 THE SABBATH. 

intrigue, or pious fraud, we should be opposed to it, because it 
is unnecessary, and because facts do not justify the hope of suc- 
cess from such a mode of procedure. 

All this precaution is unnecessary^ because it is evident from 
past efforts in this cause, that the wicked are as ready to sus- 
pend their business on the Lord's day, as Christians are to ask 
them to do it. They are not all so weak as not to understand? 
that the Sabbath is necessary for man in more than one point 
of view. And though some of them would complain, if all 
worldly business were to cease on Sunday, it is believed that a 
majority, if the question were now put, whether there should or 
should not be a day of rest, would say, " By no means take away 
from us the Sabbath." It is busy enterprise and extreme world- 
liness, rather than deliberate design on their part, that has in- 
troduced the present order of things among us. And there is no 
need of all this precaution, this studied secrecy, and these vain 
attempts to create a correct public conscience, before publishing 
what we would wish to have done, and what we are laboring 
to do. We had rather come up boldly to him who tramples on 
the sacred Rest, and say, " Friend, we are all doing wrong ; the 
mail should not be transported, nor opened on Sunday ; stages, 
boats, and cars should not run on that day ; all worldly business 
must be suspended as often as it returns." Should we not be 
more likely to secure their co-operation, (for they are nearly or 
quite with us in their views already,) and excite less prejudice 
against the cause by this course, than by keeping our intentions 
out of sight ? 

An intelligent, discriminating infidel said to us, not long since, 
" You Christians are cowards ; had you not been, long ere this 
the Sunday mails would have been stopped. I was opposed to 
the measure, but well knew, if you continued to petition Con- 
gress a little longer, you would be heard : for you had the right 
of it, and would have succeeded." 

Another of like character, a thorough-bred physician, express- 
ed the sentiment, that the Sabbath is adapted to our physical 
natures, and necessary politically, as well as religiously. " I would 
not," added he, " blot it out if I could. I have been called to see 
many die, and have marked the difference between the death of 



EFFORT NECESSARY. 149 

the infidel, which is almost universally one of horror, and that 
of the believer in the Bible, which is usually one of peace, joy, 
and hope. For the world I would not deprive the latter (though 
I knewhis religion a deception,) of this source of comfort at that 
trying hour; and I very well know, that if the Sabbath were 
given up, the Bible would of course become a useless book, and 
we should hasten back to barbarism." 

Men who are indifferent about God and the future state, and 
even such as are avowed disbelievers in divine revelation, never- 
theless know that a man, as an individual, and as a member of 
society, needs a day of rest ; that he can do more to improve his 
temporal condition, enjoy life better and longer, and die more 
happily by observing, than by neglecting that institution. 

Worldly wisdom and expediency never yet accomplished much 
in religious matters ; and if there is now so much danger in 
arousing the enemy, who may be sleeping, rest assured he is not 
to be driven from his stronghold without a mighty struggle. It 
is not numbers, let it be remembered, that will produce a change 
from the profanation of the Sabbath to its observance. Truth 
alone, set home upon the conscience, is to work this change ; 
and this must be urged not only privately, but publicly, fearless- 
ly, plainly, pointedly, powerfully, unceasingly — always in love. 
We know ministers have much to fear and much to lose, 
should they proceed thus in regard to this evil ; but they have 
more to fear, and more to lose, should they neglect to do so. 

But what is the legitimate consequence of this kind of expe- 
diency ? — this tame and silent attack on the powerful enemy of 
whom we have spoken ? While we are thus moving, if moving 
it may be called, the tide of worldliness and impiety rises higher 
and higher, preparing to sweep the institution to a retumless 
distance, from this generation at least. But there is no neces- 
sity for so much caution in this reform. Vastly more will be 
gained by coming out boldly, trusting in God. 

Examples are decidedly in favor of this bold, open course. 
Nehemiah, though but a man, and alone, powerless in himself, 
as men at the present day are — and in a community where the 
sin was universal, went forward, pursuing an entirely different 
course from the one recommended by many at the present day 
13=^ 



150 THE SABBATH. 

as most expedient. He commanded the professed people of 
God to " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" — exhorted 
the enemies of the Rest to do the same, and threatened them 
with civil punishment, if they persisted in its violation. He did 
not stop to form a correct public sentiment, hefore telling the 
people v^hat they were doing, what they ought not to do, and 
what they might expect. Neither did he ask what they would 
think of him, do with him, or say about him if he went about 
his work and reproved them for this sin. It was enough to 
settle the question of duty, to know that the Sabbath was pro- 
faned. Men must everywhere, within their borders, and even 
ivithout the gates of the city, cease from the profanation, and 
that immediately. Though he combated the evil at fearful odds, 
he succeeded. But it was truth he was wielding, and that in 
defence of one of the most important institutions of Heaven. 
Truth, in that instance, as it will in all similar circumstances, 
prevailed ; and this fact should encourage every friend of the 
Sabbath to go and do likewise. 

Peter and the rest of the apostles followed this example. 
They charged home the sins of the Jews upon their consciences, 
saying, " with wicked hands ye have crucified and slain the Lord 
of Glory." "Worldly expediency would have said. Why, Peter ! 
you must not speak so plainly, so boldly, so loud ; the Jews will 
hear you, and put you also to death — you act very rashly, and in- 
discreetly — we shall not only tell the " unfortunate^^ Jews, that 
we disapprove of your conduct, but shall do all in our power to 
destroy your influence among the believers. But Peter wished 
to form a correct public conscience, and he adopted the most effi- 
cient means to brmg it about ; while his associates, backed 
his declarations, strengthened his hands, and encouraged his 
heart, instead of traitorously joining in with the enemies of all 
good, as too many at the present time are doing. 

Luther, and the other reformers, laughed to scorn the Diet of 
Worms ; and, instead of first laboring silently to form a correct 
public sentiment, they thundered, in the ears of their opposers, 
the truth of Jehovah, and repeated it with so much energy and 
severity, thatj^the Pope saw his forces scattered, his power un- 
dermined, and felt the entire foundation of the Romish Church 



EFFORT NECESSARY. 151 

rocking, as if shaken by an earthquake. By thus exhibiting 
truth, they formed a public sentiment, and then the evil was 
cured. 

All the means they selected might not have been, and proba- 
bly were not, the very best, possible ; for imperfection marks all 
the doings of man ; but we learn from the result, that they 
were, on the whole, such as God could bless. 

WiLBERFORCE pursucd a similar, open course, in regard to the 
slave trade. Instead of working under cover, converting to his 
views, one by one, silently^ he boldly and publicly presented his 
plan, headed Truth and righteousness ; and like a good soldier , 
stood firm amid discouragements, unmoved by calumny, and un- 
dismayed by threats ,* and the glorious result is known to the 
world. Truth prevailed. " One did chase a thousand and two 
put ten thousand to flight." God loves to have his children 
boldly hold up the truth; and he always honors it, when thus 
exhibited before his enemies. 

How did KiTTRiDGE and Beecher begin to form a correct sen- 
timent on the subject of Temperance? They took the only 
speedy, safe, and correct course to remove the evil they would 
combat. And what was the result of all these efforts ? First a 
storm of wrath, as might have been expected, was poured out, 
but subsequently truth has prevailed, and the enemy lies bleed- 
ing, ready to die. If enemies^ as well as friends are not brought 
to embrace the truth, little is done. The same arguments which 
convince one side, must be used to convince the other also; and 
it is a saving of time and labor to address both classes at once. 



OPINION OF THE COM]MITTEE OF THE LONDON SABBA.TH PROTECTION 

SOCIETY. 

Just as this work was prepared for the press we received from the 
Secretary of the London Society, " for promoting the due observ- 
ance of the Lord's day," a file of their publications, among which 
is the following, being the seventh reason of the committee, 
urged against objections, and in favor of the course pursued by 
Sir Andrew Agnew in presenting his bills on the subject of Sab- 



152 THE SABBATH. 

bath desecration to the British Parliament, which we are happy 
to insert in this place. 

" It is the most fair and honest mode of dealing, on the part of 
those who are of opinion that the exigency of the case calls for a 
comprehensive measure, and to declare at once what is the ut- 
most extent of the objects they have in view ; and what is the 
exact amount of the measure with which they may be satisfied ; 
and it is considered that such a course is the most likely to at- 
tract the approbation and good opinion of right thinking individu- 
als, and (which is an infinitely higher consideration) to draw 
down the blessing of Almighty God." 

Enough has been said to show, that the'only way to form a cor- 
rect public sentiment, is to give truth its appropriate place, the 
very fore front of the battle. Then God will smile on the enter- 
prise and speed it. But if we consult worldly wisdom, the re- 
sult will be defeat and shame. The Bible does not allow us to 
use, in these enterprises, this time-serving policy, but unites with 
experience in teaching, that, it is never wise to cover the sword 
of truth with a scabbard. The wicked must be rebuked, and 
severely wounded, yet in love, and with a kind, though deter- 
mined spirit. 

These remarks are not meant to imply, that whenever a re- 
formation is to be effected, it is always necessary to produce a 
tremendous excitement, and awaken a general opposition, as if 
desirable on their own account, or for the sake of putting men in 
a rage as a preparative for their reasoning correctly. A general 
reformation, like the one under consideration, however, is al- 
ways attended by great excitement and opposition. And these 
are among the most prominent indications, that truth has taken 
root and is bringing forth fruit. No great and powerful nation 
ever yet yielded up her possessions and her glory without a 
struggle, nor has any prominent vice been uprooted and destroy- 
ed until all its votaries, one by one, have been attacked, beaten 
back, taken, bound hand and foot, and slain, or converted into 
friends. And this is not the work of a day, to be accomplished 
without effort — difficulty embarrassing^ trying, and we had 
almost said, deadly^ and unending. 

It would be folly, not to say madness, to attempt to remove 



EFFORT NECESSARY. 153 

the evil of Sabbath-breaking, so deeply rooted, so universal, in 
this land, without making the truth blaze upon the eyes of all, 
and relying on the power, grace, and mercy of God to aid in the 
undertaking. And does any one suppose this can be done with- 
out producing excitement ? As well might the full blaze of 
noon-day pour its thousand rays into an eye unaccustomed to 
the light, without producing pain or emotion. 

Then let us act openly. Let the sin of the Sabbath-breaker, 
and his immediate duty be plainly, speedily set before him. 
The sooner the truth, and the whole truth is told, touching this 
matter, the better. While men are laboring secretly to set the 
public mind right, the evil and the difficulties of removing it, are 
increasing faster than a correct public sentiment ; Grod is mean- 
while dishonored, the church continues to suffer loss, and im- 
mortal souls, in countless multitudes, crowd the broad joad to 
crime and perdition. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE NECESSITY FOR THE SABBATH. 

The necessity for the Sahhath is founded in the physical and mo' 
ral constitution of man. 

If this position can be established, it will thereby be demon- 
strated, that it is not peculiar to the Jewish, nor to the Chris- 
tian dispensation; bat belongs to the race. To illustrate 
what is intended by this adaptation, we may refer to the coeval 
institution of marriage. That this institution originated in Eden, 
all reflecting men will admit. That it was not an arbitrary en- 
actment, but one based on the very nature, necessity, and condi- 
tion of mankind, will not be questioned. The social constitution 
of man made it indispensable. And on this subject all history 
goes to show that law or no law, revelation or no revelation, 
God or no God, retribution or no retribution, the Law of mar- 
riage must be observed. And why ? He who made man, made 
him so, that, without observing it, his physical, social, moral, 
and intellectual nature, are inevitably debased. Hence we say 
— and who dissents ? — that marriage is " founded in the physi- 
cal and moral constitution of man," and therefore belongs to the 
whole race. 

Our argument for the Sabbath is just the same, and just as 
conclusive. That, too, was " made for man," and is no less 
adapted to man: nay, indispensable for man. We say, and 
shall attempt to show that the circumstances and constitution 
of man are such, that he can no more do without the Sabbath 
than without the institution of marriage. An occasional viola- 
tion of either of these great primeval laws, may not prostrate 
the whole fabric of society, so long as they are generally re- 
verenced. But their prevailing violation would be alike, and 
equally disastrous to all that is dear, and ennobling to man. 



ITS NECESSITY. 155 

Firsts then, the physical nature of man requires the Sahhath, 
The fact is clearly established, that both the body and mind 
of men, demand more relaxation than the night affords them. 
Protracted toil, continued without cessation beyond six days, de- 
tracts from the vigor and comfort of the body, and wears it out, 
prematurely. The necessity of food and drink is not more clearly 
attested by nature itself, than that of a weekly rest for man. A 
body of facts, attesting the accuracy of this position, is elsewhere 
found in this work. And what is this, but the attestation of na- 
ture, and of God, in behalf of the Sabbath. 

So also man's moral nature needs the Sahhath, 

This part of our original constitution, equally with the former, 
has claims and wants, which can be met only by keeping the 
Sabbath. Indeed, these interests are infinitely higher and more 
enduring. They belong to our immortality. To meet this class 
of interests is the great purpose of redemption. Christ died 
and angels watch, and the whole plan of Gospel grace is adopted, 
that man's moral nature may be so cultivated, as to fit him for 
his appropriate enjoyment here and hereafter. But how shall 
these arrangements be made available — this inestimable object 
be secured ? By plunging into the bottomless abyss of worldly 
avocations, and never withdrawing the mind, from year to year, 
from youth to old age, except at casual intervals ? The very 
supposition is incredible. Under such circumstances all man's 
moral interests, his eternal well-being, must of necessity be over- 
looked. Those minds which are most deeply imbued with reli- 
gious principle find it difficult, even with the help of the Sabbath, 
to keep in check the rising spirit of worldliness. Take that Sab- 
bath away, and they even might tremble for the safety of all 
their moral and religious interests. What then must be the ef- 
fect on minds wholly devoted to the world ? It would be, it 
must be, the utter sacrifice of those mighty interests, which God's 
own Son suffered and died to secure. Even the foresight of a 
man, would show that to carry out the design of Redemption, 
just such an institution as the Sabbath was indispensable. 
Would not God then institute it ? He surely would ; He has. 



156 THE SABBATH. 

** Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.^'^ 

And whatsoever observances God enjoins, are positively need- 
ful to the physical and moral good of mankind. This v^e have 
seen to be true of marriage. It is equally true of them all. He 
made man, and knew what laws he needed. As the eye is ad- 
justed to the laws of light; as the digestive system is adapted 
to the nature of food ; so the whole nature of man is adjusted 
to the requisitions of God's Law. 

These remarks apply as clearly to the law of the Sabbath, as 
the law of marriage. Both were provided to meet the emer- 
gency of man's fallen condition. Before man was made, it was 
known in the counsels of eternity that he would apostatize, and 
that some powerful instrumentalities must be employed for his 
recovery. In view of the event thus foreseen, and the necessity 
thus created, God has so made man, that not only the voice of 
law, but of self-interest ; not only authority^ but nature shall 
command him to obedience. 

The goodness of God, in relation particularly to the Sabbath, 
is wonderfully manifest. It is as if He had said: " I know that 
man will strongly incline to neglect the things which belong to 
his peace, and to eternity. The influence of the world, if not in 
some way greatly interrupted, will absorb every thought. To 
hold in check this tendency, to force, if possible, his thoughts 
away from earth, occasionally at least, I will ordain the holy 
Sabbath. And I will so make man, that his whole physical, 
social, and moral nature shall invite him to repose, just so much 
of his time, as the necessity of his condition, and my Law, found- 
ed on that necessity, require him to rest. I will give him the 
Sabbath. And I will so constitute him that while he miist seek 
the relaxation of the body, he may seek the salvation of the soul. 
And lest he forget my Sabbath and eternity, I will write the 
necessity for their remembrance on the very frailty of his nature. 
I will make obedience necessary for this world as well as the 
next. Godliness shall be gain to him in every respect." This 
would not create such physical necessity as to destroy man's 
free agency, though his nature is perpetually calling on him to 
obey this law. 



ITS NECESSITY. 157 

It is an important question, pertaining to this subject ; When 
was the Sabbath instituted ? If it was made for man, and is so 
wonderfully adjusted to his whole nature, the inference seems 
almost irresistible, from this consideration only, that it was given 
in Eden. 

If not, where was it given ? Can any other period be assigned 
for its institution, so well authenticated, as this is in the first of 
Genesis? "Was it at Sinai? Most assuredly not. All the 
commands of the Moral Law, there given, relate either to moral 
beings, or things of a moral nature already in existence. God 
and man are the moral beings there introduced. The Sabbatl" 
is an institution of a moral nature, and must therefore have had 
a previous existence. No new moral obligations were there 
originated ; no new moral acts were there required. In the 
ceremonial law many new duties were enjoined. The case ad- 
mitted this. New circumstances, involving new duties, had 
sprung up. In reference to these, new and original legislation 
could take place, "i/* thou shalt make an altar of earths 
' Three times shalt thou keep a feast unto me in a year." The 
first is merely a supposition, referring to a contingency that 
might arise, viz: they might build '' an altar of earth." The 
second was a command to keep three annual feasts. These 
were new injunctions, and became obligatory from that time, 
because their new circumstances rendered that a duty to them, 
then^ which had not been so before. There was no inherent and 
universal obligation to do these things, as is the case with a 
moral law. Nor are these duties spoken of in terms like those 
used in reference to the Sabbath. It was not the altar ; the feast ; 
as if speaking of something already existing, and to all familiar. 
But when the law of the Sabbath is proclaimed, the language 
used is entirely different. It is not a new enactment : no Sab- 
bath was instituted at Sinai. The Law simply enjoins — not the 
origination of something new, like the ceremonial feasts, but 
the observance of what was old, and already understood. The 
chief magistrate of a nation may find it requisite, for particular 
reasons, to issue a proclamation, enjoining the observance of 
certain laws. And he might use the very form of expression used 
at Sinai, with reference to the Sabbath : " Remember and ob- 
14 



158 THE SABBATH. 

serve a particular law." Who would imagine that such lan- 
guage implied that no such law existed until then ? The very- 
phraseology assumes its pre-existence. So does the language 
of the moral law imply the pre-existence of the Sabbath. " Re- 
member" what ? Something they never until then had heard 
of, and consequently till they had time to forget it, could not 
"remember?" Most certainly not. They must then, if such 
language was at all proper, have perfectly understood that there 
was a holy Sabbath. All that was then needed was to republish 
that law, and enjoin on the Jewish people, not the establishment 
of a new, but the observance of an old institution. 

Should it be said, that if the Sabbath was not given at Sinai, 
it was at the first fall of manna — we may reply, that of this 
there is no proof, and no probability. The language of Moses, 
in respect to the Sabbath, at that time, clearly implies that it 
was not a new, but a pre-existing institution, equally with the 
language used in the ten commandments : " To-morrow is the 
rest of the holy Sabbath to the Lord thy God." It is not " a 
Sabbath," but " the Sabbath." " The Lord hath said,'' not " the 
Lord now says,'' The surprise of the people, on seeing twice as 
much manna fall on the sixth day as on others, was because it 
was unexpected. As they knew it could not be preserved from 
one day to another, they of course expected it would fall on the 
Sabbath, as at other times. The whole history shows that the 
Sabbath was not then instituted, but only recognized and hon- 
ored of God, by a two-fold miracle, wrought to guard it against 
profanation. 

When, then, was it instituted? When but in Eden, and 
at the very beginning of time. The prevailing silence of the 
Scriptures, together with the manner in which the Sabbath and 
the marriage institution are often alluded to, confirms this hy- 
pothesis. If, on the very threshhold of creation, God had enact- 
ed and promulged them, and had also inscribed them on man's 
original constitution, and they were therefore already familiar to 
the Hebrew race as Heaven's own appointed ordinances, then, 
and only on that supposition, is the Scripture method of only 
adverting to those institutions natural. The whole subject being 



ITS NECESSITY. 159 

perfectly understood, and no one questioning that God had from 
the beginning appointed a Sabbath, it would be superfluous to 
re-enact its observance. It might become important to call at- 
tention to it, and to write it, to enjoin upon the people to re- 
member it, and keep it holy. And while on this theory the 
language of Scripture is perfectly natural, on any other it is in- 
capable of any satisfactory explanation. It was doubtless given 
at the beginning, and Sinai only witnessed its republication. 

But let us examine a little more minutely the precepts of the 
decalogue. The three first prohibit certain things in relation to 
God, the Lawgiver. The fourth is addressed to man: "Re- 
member the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Here the institution 
is first particularized as already existing : it is " the Sabbath 
day." Then follow specific enactments to secure its observance : 
" Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work :" so as to be 
prepared for the seventh. The remaining six refer to duties 
which men everywhere, and in all ages, were bound to perform 
toward each other ; duties the obligation of which did not origi- 
nate then, nor did those enjoined toward God. That obligation 
existed always. It grew out of the very nature and relations of 
man : not of the Jews, but of all men, in all ages. With what 
propriety, then, could the Sabbath be supposed, alone, to be of 
recent origin, or limited obligation, while all the other precepts 
are universal ? Besides, as if to guard against the possibility of 
such a hypothesis, the Sabbath is spoken of explicitly — as if, 
however ignorant men might be of every other duty, they 
already knew that this institution existed, there was no neces- 
sity for enjoining a day of rest, but only of enforcing the remem- 
brance of one which they already knew to have been ordained. 

From these considerations, it is obvious that the Sabbath is 
not peculiar to any dispensation, patriarchal, Jewish, or Chris- 
tian. It is older than either, and belongs to the race. It was 
" made for many It derives none of its authority from either, 
as such; they rather have been dependent upon its influence for 
their entire efficiency and support. It has had, therefore, the ap- 
probation of good men, not only in the times of Moses, but before 
and since : and the pious upon earth will continue, with religious 



160 THE SABBATH. 

veneration, to cherish it, till they shall enter upon that eternal 
Sahbath, of which it is both the type and the preparative. 

It is certainly no virtue in man that he is so constituted as to 
need the rest of every seventh day. Nor is it any sin in him 
that he is so constituted that he cannot, v^ithout detriment, feed 
on poison. These are arrangements which he did not originate, 
and for whose existence he has no responsibility. But finding 
such a constitution of things already established, he is bound to 
fall in with it, as expressing the will of God. Indeed, a kind of 
necessity is thus created for a compliance with the divine law. 
True virtue, however, consists not so much in yielding to those 
arrangements, because we suffer for it if we do not, as in a cheer- 
ful acquiescence in them, because they are the will of God, thus 
made known to us. It is, indeed, a most benevolent act of our 
Creator thus to have constituted us, so that the very necessities 
of our nature and condition fall in with our duty, and thus be* 
come our helps and monitors in the way to Heaven. And dis- 
obedience, under such an arrangement, becomes doubly sinful. 
Thus, to neglect the Sabbath, is not only a sin against God, but 
against our own souls, and against our own bodies. He who 
refuses suitable food, or partakes of some slow and certain poi- 
son, is not more palpably a transgressor against his own physical 
nature, than he is who denies to his body that weekly rest which 
God has made essential to its vigor, and commanded him to ob- 
serve. And as for his moral nature, he sins not against that 
more fatally who shuts his eyes upon the word of God, and 
turns away from all its ordinances, than he does who forgets 
the Sabbath. 

This institution, then, is sanctioned by a two-fold enactment 
—the one as written on tables of stone, the other on the very 
nature of man : and both by the finger of Jehovah. Every in- 
telligent being is an open volume to himself, where he may 
read the precept, " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy;" 
and whether willing or unwilling, is an agent for its promulga- 
tion to others. Human nature hath a voice, and a tongue which 
trumpets it, as loudly and clearly as did Sinai's thunders. Then, 
for God to create such a necessity for the Sabbath, is the same 



ITS NECESSITY. 161 

thing as for him to enact it. Indeed, is it not more forcible than 
any other mode of enactment can be ? 

In the absence, then, of all other proof, it would seem that any 
farther argument would be superfluous. Lest, however, some 
may not yet be satisfied, we shall proceed to consider the subject 
still farther, that, if possible, all may be induced to remember 
the Sabbath, and keep it holy. 

March, 1839. 



14* 



CHAPTER V. 

OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 

The following opinions, facts, and arguments, were published 
in a series of twelve numbers, in a weekly periodical, in 1836, 
and were elicited by objections then made and industriously cir- 
culated by the enemies of the Sabbath. They are inserted here, 
not as a labored, systematic examination of the whole subject 
under consideration, which for ages has been before the public, 
and, especially during the last half century, has been presented 
in a most masterly, acceptable, and triumphant manner ; but as 
containing answers, selected from accredited sources, ancient 
and modern, sacred and profane, to particular popular objections, 
accompanied with brief remarks. 

Numerous quotations have been made from the ancient 
fathers, for three reasons, viz : — To show that they did not con- 
sider the institution abolished — that there was a change of the 
day from the seventh to the first — and that all who wish to 
know their opinions on these points may learn them without the 
trouble of consulting a dozen or twenty authors. 

Objection I. — "There is no authority for the Sabbath." 

As this is merely the assertion of disbelievers in divine reve- 
lation, without even an attempt to produce evidence in support 
of it, little time will be spent in answering it. For, as before 
remarked, this effort has not been made mainly for the sake of 
such individuals, but for those who believe in the truth of the 
Bible. The evidence of the supreme authority of the Scriptures 
is already before the public, and is more conclusive and abun- 
dant than that of any other work of antiquity. In that book, 
the sacred historian informs us, that on the sixth day God ended 
his work, and rested on and blessed the seventh day ; or, as it is 



COEVAL WITH MAN. 163 

believed, set it apart as a Sabbath. He made it for man — for 
THE RACE. The day on which this rest was to be observed, was 
fixed after the heavens and earth, and all their host were fin- 
ished : and but for this day, our weeks might have consisted of 
six instead of seven days. Certainly it was not needed by God, 
in order to finish the work of creation. 

Moses, in the commencement of this history, takes it for 
granted that there is a God, And, ever after this history of the 
institution of the Sabbath, he, and the rest of the sacred writers, 
take it for granted that there is a Sahhath. They speak of it 
as a thing universally known and understood, except in its de- 
tail, just as he spoke of the existence of a God — a thing too well 
understood to need proof. And, since the Bible is with us an 
accredited book, it is sufficient for the present purpose to add 
only the commandment therein contained as evidence that God 
has required of some people, at least, the observance of a Sab- 
bath. It is in these words, viz : 

" Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt 
thou labor, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the 
Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt not do any work, 
thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy 
maid servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy 
gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the 
sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : where- 
fore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." 

In this there is no effort to prove that there is a Sabbath. 
The fact is stated, and man was commanded to keep it. 

One of the reasons given for the observance of this institution 
is, that " in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, 
and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; wherefore 
the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." Moses, 
then, evidently understood the seventh day spoken of (Gen. ii. 2, 
3,) to be a Sabbath; and if Moses, then also the people of 
Israel. 

Christ required his disciples to keep his commandments, and 
follow his example. He observed the Sabbath, and after his 
resurrection, frequently appeared to them on the^zr^^ day of the 
week, leading them in the worship of God, and instructing them. 



164 THE SABBATH. 

which they regarded as authority for setting apart that day as 
one of sacred rest. To this example, also, all the Christians of 
the early ages, with one consent, gave heed, as having all the 
force of divine command. Such is the testimony of the ancient 
fathers. 

The division of time into weeks, is presumptive evidence that 
the Sabbath has been observed by some, in all ages of the world. 
" The period of seven days," says Mrs. Somerville, in her work 
on the Physical Sciences, " by far the most permanent division 
of time, and the most ancient monument of astronomical know- 
ledge, was used by the Brahmins, in India, with the same de- 
nominations employed by us, and was alike found in the calen- 
dars of the Jews, Egyptians, Arabs, and Assyrians. It has 
survived the fall of empires, and has existed among all successive 
generations, a proof of their common origin." 

S. J. Buckingham. — Sacredness of the Number Seven, 

" One of the features by which the Nile was distinguished 
from most other streams, was that of its having seven separate 
mouths, or estuaries, by which it discharged its waters into the 
Mediterranean. Now, the Egyptians venerated the Nile, as 
' the seven-mouthed stream,' because, among them, this number 
seven was regarded as a sacred number. Nor were the Egyp- 
tians singular in this respect ; for among the Hebrews, the Chal- 
deans, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, and Persians, the same 
regard was shown to this number ; and the Greeks and Romans, 
after them, partook of the same feeling. The Hebrew Scrip- 
tures, it will be remembered, are full of instances in which this 
number is used in reference to holy things : it is seen in the Pen- 
tateuch, and in the Prophets ; and in the New Testament, the 
Apocalypse of St. John furnishes almost as many examples of 
this as the Old. Indeed, it is believed that there are no nations, 
of ancient or modern days, in which some trace of this venera- 
tion for the number seven, as a sacred number, may not be 
found. Among a people so little known as the Thugs, of Hin- 
dostan, whose peculiarities have been but recently investigated 
and described, we find that there were seven original clans of 
that people : that the first seven days of their expeditions were 



COEVAL WITH MAN. 165 

to be regarded as days of separation from all others ; and that 
they ate no animal food until the seventh day, this period being 
called Satha — a very probable corruption of Sahhatha, Indeed, 
I cannot but be impressed with a belief, from all the considera- 
tion I have been enabled to bestow upon the subject, that this 
almost universal veneration for the number seven, and the sev- 
enth day, is a renmant of the ancient observance of a day of 
Rest, which had its origin in the first ages of mankind, which 
was observed before the flood, and communicated by the de- 
scendants of Noah to the early inhabitants of the world after the 
flood, through whom it passed into all lands, and became 
partially or perfectly known to all people. The reason assigned 
for the institution of the Sabbath, that it was a commemoration 
of the rest of the Deity from the labors of the creation, which 
were completed in six days, and from which the Almighty rest- 
ed on the seventh — would lead to the inference that the Sabbath 
was an institution coeval with the first parents of mankind : and 
the language in which the commandment respecting the Sab- 
bath is couched, in the decalogue, greatly strengthens this sup- 
position. All the other commandments, except this, are posi- 
tive in their injunctions, whether the command be positive or 
negative — to do or to abstain from doing — and make no refer- 
ence to any other code or institution of an earlier date. But this 
begins with the words, * Remember that thou keep holy the 
Sabbath day' — as if it referred to some previous observance, not 
now instituted for the first time, but which was to be held in 
recollection as a thing before known and practised, and which 
was now enjoined to be continually remembered : a phraseology, 
it will be observed, confined exclusively to this commandment 
alone. 

" Of the benefits of this divine institution to man and beast, in 
a purely physical and mental point of view, without reference 
to its obligation as a religious observance, my own experience 
will abundantly testify. During all the time I held a maritime 
command, it was my constant practice to give my crew the indul- 
gence and enjoyment of the Sabbath, by an entire cessation from 
all the ordinary labors of their profession : and the repose, and 
ablutions, and changes of apparel, and relaxation of mind afford- 



166 THE SABBATH. 

ed by these periodical returns of the seventh day, were, I be- 
lieve, highly favorable to the health, dispositions, and morals of 
the seamen. 

" In England, whenever the question of passing laws for the 
better observance of the Sabbath was raised in the British 
House of Commons, during the five years that I held a seat in 
that body, I ahvays advocated such a law, on the ground that 
whatever difference of opinion might exist among men as to the 
mode of observing it as a day of religious worship, no one could 
doubt but that, as a mere civil ordinance and institution, it is of 
the highest value to the laboring classes, and especially the 
poor — as valuable, indeed, to the brute creation as to man : and 
an essential part of that great system of periodical change 
which runs through all nature — which recruits the exhaustion 
of the day by the repose of the night : which balances the heat 
of the summer by the cold of the winter : which alternates the 
autumn with the spring : and which was designed by a wise 
and beneficent Deity to give to his creatures that expansion of 
heart, and cheerfulness of mind, and serene and satisfactory en- 
joyment of body, which the observance of the Sabbath as a Day 
of Rest, brings to all. 

Cleveland, Ohio, July 17, 1840." 

" We find, from time immemorial," says the learned Presi- 
dent GoGUET, " the use of this period among all nations, without 
variation in the form of it. The Israelites, Assyrians, Egyptians, 
Indians^ Arabians, and, in a word, all the nations of the earth, 
have, in all ages, made use of a week of seven days." Here is 
a universal fact stated ; and no one acquainted with the history 
of the Jews, though ignorant of that of other nations, can deny 
it with respect to them. And scarcely any country can now be 
found, where time is not reckoned by weeks of seven days. The 
Mosaic history of the creation gives a satisfactory and philoso- 
phical explanation of this fact, otherwise unexplained. If any 
man rejects this, let him give a better. But if this be received, 
then the doctrine of the original institution of a Sabbath for man, 
is also received. The conclusion cannot be escaped. 

If any one should not be satisfied with the statements of Pre- 



COEVAL WITH MAN. 167 

sident Goguet, Mr. Buckingham, and Mrs. Somerville, we can 
refer him to others, equally entitled to respect and confidence, 
who tell us that the same custom existed among the Persians, 
the ancient Komans, Britons, Germans, Gauls ; the nations of 
the north, and of America. 

The Old Testament tells us that the antediluvians had their 
months and years, and why not weeks ? Certainly they were 
recognized by Noah, and in Gen. 29, weeks are mentioned. 
" The months of the ancient Scandinavians were divided into 
weeks of seven days ; a division which prevailed among almost 
all the nations of which we have any knowledge, from the ex- 
tremity of Asia to that of Europe." 

Homer, 907 B. C. says, " then came the seventh day, which is 
sacred or holy." 

Hesiod, 870 B. C. styles the seventh day the illustrious light of 
the sun, and speaks of it as holy. 

"As to the seventh day, which was honored by some pagans, 
and of which they have spoken, as a holy day, it was either dedi- 
cated to Apollo, or it was an imitation of the Jewish Sabbath, 
which some pagans held in honor, either out of superstition or 
devotion." 

" The learned Grotius tells us that the memory of the crea- 
tion's being performed in seven days was preserved, not only 
among the Greeks and Italians, but among the Celts and In- 
dians, all of whom divided their time into weeks." 

Calmet says : " Manasseh Ben Israel assures us that, ac- 
cording to the tradition of the ancients, Abraham and his posteri- 
ty, having preserved the memory of the creation, observed the 
Sabbath, also, in consequence of the natural law to that purpose. 
It is also believed, that the religion of the seventh day is pre- 
served among the pagans; and that the observation of this day 
is as old as the world itself" 

From the history of Cain and Abel, bringing their offerings unto 
the Lord, as well as from that of Job and the patriarchs, may also 
be gathered presumptive evidence of the fact above stated. 

" Some Rabbins inform us, that Joseph also observed the Sab- 
bath in Egypt," 

" Lampridius tells us that Alexander Severus, the Roman 



168 THE SABBATH. 

Emperor, usually went on the seventh day into the capitol, there 
to offer sacrifices to the gods." 

" Almost all the philosophers and poets also acknowledge the 
seventh day as holy." — Calmet. 

Porphyry says: "the Phoenicians consecrated one day in 
seven as holy." 

According to Philo, of the first century, " The Sabbath is not 
a festival peculiar to any one people, or country, but is common 
to the whole world ; and it may be named the general and pub- 
lic feast, or the feast of the nativity of the world." 

According to Josephtjs, " There is no city, either of Greeks or 
barbarians, or any other nation, where the religion of the Sab- 
bath is not known, a seventh day of rest from labor." He cer- 
tainly ought to know the truth, for he was governor of Galilee, 
about thirty years after the crucifixion of Christ, and had most 
ample opportunities of information. 

Rev. E. Johns says ; " The living remnant of the ancient 
Britons, call the first day of the week dydd sul. The double d 
sounds like th^ in the ; and u somewhat like the same vowel in 
French. The Latin dies solis is evidently a modification of the 
British phrase, and Sunday is a literal translation of both. Now, 
since the worship of the heavenly bodies, was the most ancient 
kind of idolatry, it was natural for apostates from the worship of 
Jehovah to render the homage due to Him, to the principal lu- 
minary, the king of day, and to act thus on the day sacred to the 
divine Creator." 

It may be well to add the following from the same writer ; 
'' The language of the Celts is the most ancient living tongue 
known to us. It is more ancient than Latin; since a vast por- 
tion of the Roman language consists of Celtic materials ; and all 
the terminations of Latin verbs in the third person plural are 
borrowed from the Celtic. Moreover, the Celtic abounds in 
words evidently of Hebrew origin, while its syntax is as simple 
and governed by the same rules. Besides, the Celts are known 
to have been very numerous and widely spread in Europe, when 
the Roman people, as such, were in embryo. The etymology of 
the Greek language proves it to have been of Hebrew origin ; 
but its state of high improvement and the complexity of its syn- 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 169 

tax, are evidence of its being far less ancient than the Celtic. It 
also contains many words of the same sound and import with the 
Celtic, and which may have been borrowed from the language 
of the ancient Druids." 

The same writer may be quoted still further. " It is asserted 
that an inwrought feature of the Hebrew language evinces the 
institution of the weekly Sabbath, to have been coetaneous with 
the human species. That feature is borne by the Hebrew word 
which represents the word seven^ 

Will it be said, that " all those nations were originally indebted 
to the Jews," for a knowledge of this institution ? Would thev 
borrow from, or pattern after the Jews ? — The Egyptians, who 
abhorred them ; the Assyrians, who hated them ; the barbarous 
Arab; the proud and haughty Greek and Roman? Surely they 
would not. God had caused that institution to come down to 
each of them, indepeytdently of the Jews. 

An interesting document, recently published in the Asiatic 
Journal, respecting a Jewish colony in China, throws light on 
this subject. We shall make but a single extract from it. 

" The prime minister of the empire affirms that the Sabbath 
was anciently observed by the Chinese, in conformity to the di- 
rections of the king, [Canonical books,] and that the Jewish 
letters approach nearly to the form of the ancient Chinese char- 
acters." 

" The Easterns counted time by nights" — seven nights. We 
infer from the above, that the Chinese, from the commencement 
of their language, were acquainted with a Sabbath, and observed 
it. '' The Celts kept as holy time, the nights before and after 
the seventh day." 

From Jewitt's account of the natives of Nootka Sound, whose 
language he thinks was mainly Hebrew, it would seem that re- 
ligious rites were observed by that people, and lasted, on some 
occasions, seven, and on others fourteen days. 

What but a traditionary knowledge of the six days' labor, and 
the seventh day of rest, at the creation of the world, could have 
induced all nations, scattered and diversified as they are and 
have been, to agree on this division of their time ? 

15 



170 THE SABBATH. 

Objection II. — " This Authority binds only the Jews." 

It is believed, that all who embrace the religion of the Bible, 
as their religion, acknowledge that the Jews were bound to keep 
the Sabbath of the Lord, holy. They must do no work. " Thou^ 
nor thy son^ nor thy daughter^ thy man servant^ nor thy maid 
servant^ nor thy cattle^ nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." 

But when it is said, that the fourth commandment is binding 
equally on the Gentile as on the Jew ; that it is equally import- 
ant for the Gentile to remember the work of creation, and no 
less necessary and desirable, that he and his household, the 
stranger and his cattle, should rest one day in seven, then we 
find those who do believe, or affect to believe, a very different 
doctrine. They deny that the Sabbath was ever intended for 
any other people than the Jews ; and say, that it had its origin 
when given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and was done away at the 
coming of Christ. 

That blessed book which contains this law, together with the 
New Testament in Christ's blood, has reached us Gentiles. It 
contains the same moral law which governed the inhabitants of 
the old world ; and if this law is not designed for us, then we 
have no law. Not even a traditionary notion of any exists ; and 
none is now to be found for us, unless what is contained in the 
word of the Old and New Testament is for us. 

If then we are governed by any law, it must be the law given 
to the Jews ; would we know the character of the true God, we 
must learn it from the Bible. 

consequences to the gentiles, if there is no sabbath for 

THEM. 

Before undertaking to prove, that the Sabbath was designed 
for the Gentiles as well as the Jews, it may be well to consider 
the consequences to us, if intended only for the latter. Suppose 
it could be proved, that we are not bound to keep the Sabbath, 
would Christians rejoice in the discovery, and gladly neglect to 
keep it holy ? No. The Christian's enemies would rejoice — it 
would create a triumph through all their ranks. If it were 
proved that we Gentiles are not bound by the moral law, would 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 171 

the Gentile have cause to rejoice ? Is it such a favor to be left 
without law ? Then is it a favor to be without any claim to one 
of those promises, which the Bible holds out to the Jew. Then 
is it a favor to be cast out from the friendship of God, to wander 
hither and thither, through this unfriendly world, without guide 
or protector, or any knowledge of what we shall be when death 
shall close the scene. For, aside from the commands and revela- 
tions in the Bible of the Jews, which are closely connected, there 
is not a single clear intimation of the will of God concerning us, 
nor a ray of hope to the desponding soul. Instead of its being 
a favor to be released from obligation to keep God's Sabbath, the 
knowledge of such release would be misery to his children. It is 
chilling to our heart's blood to think of our Father in heaven ex- 
cluding us from the circle of his protection and control. We would 
infinitely rather be accountable and responsible creatures, amen- 
able to his tribunal, and under all the moral obligations which rest- 
ed on the Jews. Let us have a Sabbath, in which we may enjoy 
sweet intercourse with our Maker ; let us look with an eye of 
favor on the evidence that we Gentiles are not shut out from the 
inner circle of his presence, and the light of his countenance, on 
that blessed day. If God is willing to honor us with such an 
opportunity of exalted intercourse, let no man rob us of the privi- 
lege, and thus degrade us. 

But perhaps some may think, we need not fear nor be asham- 
ed of our degradation, because they imagine the hour at hand, 
when we shall die like brutes, considered like them too mean to 
be raised from corruption. Consolation in being annihilated ! 
Scarce consolation to the inmates of the pit. 

Our thoughts involuntarily recur to the state in which we 
should be, without law, or God, or Friend, or Protector. Are we 
then less thought of or cared for than brutes that perish ? God 
heareth the young raven, when he cries, and supplieth his need. 
The young lions, when they roar and suffer hunger, receive their 
meat from his hand. He clothes the lily in robes more gorgeous 
than Solomon's. But we, poor Gentiles, must ive^ ignorant of 
our duty to Him, without revelation of His will to us, toil on 
without Sabbath, without joy, without communion with the 
Father of our spirits ? 



172 THE SABBATH. 

MAN V RELATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS. 

Man, from his relation to his Creator, has always been under 
obligation to love him supremely, and from his relations to his 
fellow men to love them as himself; hence the duty of dealing 
justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, before the 
ten commandments were given to the Jews as well as after.^ 
For, previously to that time, all men v^^ere as really under law? 
and accountable to God, as the Jews have been since. Though 
the will of God was more clearly revealed to the Jews than to 
any other nation; though they had more blessings and privileges 
secured to them than their idolatrous neighbors ; yet this, while 
it increased the weight, did not alter the nature of their obliga- 
tions. God's people, now, though composed principally of Gen- 
tiles, are as much his people, and as much entitled to all the 
privileges which are suited to make them happy, as the Jews 
were. God's moral claims on them are the same, and they are 
under no less obligation to walk in the ways of his command- 
ments blameless. The same moral laws which bind the right- 
eous in every age, to fulfill the great Law of Love, extend to 
the wicked also. If these obligations should be met and fulfilled 
by the Jews, as sacred obligations which they owe to God and 
man, and as productive of the happiest consequences, why not 
by the Gentiles for the same reason ? 

If it be objected, that a change has taken place since the com- 
ing of the Savior, it may be answered, that the change consists 
in breaking down the wall of partition between Jews and Gen- 
tiles, and by this means making the latter, equally with the 
former, participate fully in all the blessings and privileges of the 
Gospel. Whatever the Jews were bound to do under the Old 
Testament dispensation as typical of Christ, ceased of course to 
be obligatory on them, when Christ had, by his sufferings and 
death, fulfilled the types and promises : so that what is peculiar 
to that dispensation is now no more binding on either Jew or 
Gentile. If then the ten commandments are to be regarded as 
peculiar to the ancient dispensation, and are not binding on the 
Gentile, they are not on the Jew. And as Christ gave no new 
law, the Gentiles are of course utterly destitute of law, and so 



I 



FOR GENTILE AS^WELL AS JEW. 173 

are the Jews. We are therefore brought to the conclusion, that 
all persons are now left as destitute of written law as were the 
antediluvians. Has God then finally concluded, since his crea- 
tures have broken all his laws, that they may go on without 
any ? If not, all the moral laws, which were binding on the 
Jews before the coming and crucifixion of the Savior, are and 
were equally binding on the whole human family. If any bene- 
fit was derived to the Jews from the keeping of a Sabbath, then 
the same benefit belongs to us and to our children. For he hath 
made us both one, so that in Christ Jesus there is no longer 
either Jew or Gentile. 

Thus it clearly appears, that if the Sabbath was designed only 
for the Jews, then we Gentiles are ^lnder no obligation to observe 
any of the ten commandments, for they, all alike, were given 
either to the Jews alone, or to both Jews and Gentiles, 

This is sound logic, and, if the objector's premises are correct^ 
leaves the Gentile without law, without Gospel, without Sab- 
bath, without promised blessings, temporal or spiritual ; without 
a guide or friend when he leaves this world, and consequently 
without hope. To this conclusion we have been laboring to 
bring the reader. O, wicked man, do you rejoice that you have 
no one to look after and provide for you — no promise of future 
good ? If you are free from the obligation of any one of the ten 
commands, you are free from them all. And not a ray of light 
shines from the Bible, by which you can look into the future : 
all beyond the grave is dark uncertainty ; you know not whether 
you are to be annihilated, whether there is for you a heaven or 
a hell ; or whether you are to live in the form of a reptile. In 
this situation, you may look upon yourselves, wretched outcasts 
from God, from heaven, and the blessings of Revelation ; no one 
to hear your prayers, listen to your sighs, and still the troubles 
of a disordered mind. The state of the heathen philosophers, 
who wept because they knew not what was before them, in 
another world, was far preferable to yours ; for they knew of no 
Bible, of no people who had been so highly distinguished above 
them, as the Jews have been above you. The Jews are going 
to heaven or to hell : you know not to what you are going ! 
15^ 



174 THE SABBATH. 

Is it true that God has abandoned us to the storms of this 
wide and boisterous sea, without compass, chart or helm ? 

Should we take it for granted, that there was no law requir- 
ing our first parents, and the antediluvians, to keep a day of rest, 
because none was then written, we must also conclude that there 
was none against murder. But God certainly did punish Cain 
for the murder of his brother, showing that he had in some way 
made known such a law. For where there is no law there can 
be no sin. For the same reason, the antediluvians must have 
xmderstood his will, or they would not, for acting contrary to it? 
have been buried in one common grave. Yet there is not the 
least allusion made to any of the ten commandments in the his- 
tory of the old world. On the other hand, suppose it were in- 
disputably proved that there was no Sabbath instituted, until 
after the flood, this would not prove the Sabbath to have been 
intended only for the Jews. It would only be presumptive evi- 
dence, that God could not keep men from wickedness, and lead 
them to himself by oral instruction, without a particular day 
set apart^ to give and receive such instruction, and that therefore 
He established a new dispensation, wrote the commandments, 
and appointed one day in seven, when they should be read and 
expounded. But there is not, in our mind, a shadow of doubt, 
that the Sabbath was given in Eden, and designed for all men, 
and of perpetual obligation. Nor can there be any doubt, that 
all the moral laws were understood by the inhabitants of the old 
world. Else, the destruction of the antediluvians, is wholly un- 
accountable and unjust. From God's dealings also with Sodom 
and Gomorrah, it is evident that they were held accountable for 
their conduct. This would not have been, had there existed no 
law; yet they were destroyed, before Israel, as a nation, had 
come into existence. 

From the dealmgs of God with the Jews, and from what is 
recorded respecting them before the giving of the law on Sinai, 
we are irresistibly led to conclude, that they were, previous to 
that event, acquainted with and governed according to the laws 
contained in the decalogue. We find indisputable evidence 
that they were acquainted with the laws in regard to the Sab- 
bath, marriage, and murder. From plain allusions, it is obvious, 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 175 

that idolatry, adultery, covetousness, and theft, were also under- 
stood to be sins against God, by the Jews, in this early stage of 
their history. The manner in which the law was given, was 
admirably suited to impress on their minds the importance of 
obeying it, and to fill them with awe and reverence for the cha- 
racter of the terrible Lawgiver. The commandments were re- 
peated in the hearing of all Israel amidst thunderings and light- 
nings, and quakings of the earth, and the voice of a trumpet, 
waxing louder and louder, that the people might helieve them, 
and they were written that they might remember and do 
them. The whole transaction seems designed, not so much to 
give the people information on the subject of their duty, as so to 
impress the commands on their minds, that they might never 
forget them. 

There are expressions in the commandments which show 
that they were not at that time new to the people of Israel. In 
the second, for instance, God speaks of showing m.ercy unto such 
as love him and keep his commandments — ^not these command- 
ments, as though they were now for the first time promulged' 
but " my commandments," as if they were already acquainted 
with them. Again, the fourth commandment commences " Re- 
member the Sabbath day." But we cannot remember what we 
have never known, and to suppose that God was calling on the 
people to remember what was then entirely new to them, is to 
suppose that He, who is infinite in wisdom, would speak non- 
sense. 

Prior to the giving of this law to Moses, God had been dealing 
with men as moral and accountable creatures. They owed to 
God and one another the same moral duties as we do. What 
is right morally now, was right then, and vice versa,. The same 
moral duties must also be equally necessary to their happiness 
and holiness as to ours. 

But though all, from the creation to Moses, were under a 
common law, it was not written. Hence it was necessary that 
the same law, which was at first spoken^ and committed to the 
keeping of a few, though published to all and intended for all, 
should be given in a new /or/n, ^. e., on imperishable tables of 
stone. 



176 THE SABBATH. 

Wicked men were prone to forget God and his word. Almost 
all had become idolators. The knowledge of God was scarcely 
to be found. It became necessary, therefore, to make choice of 
a certain family, instruct them, and make them the depository 
of his revealed will. 

The same grand moral principles by which all past genera- 
tions had been governed, must now be ivritten. The writing of 
these moral precepts must not be left to Moses, but be done by 
the finger of God. Other laws were given at the same time, 
very important for the religious improvement of the Jews, to 
whom this precious treasure was committed. But they were 
ceremonial, only designed for them during their scholarship, and 
these might be written by Moses, They were types and shad- 
ows of things to come ; yet were they practical lessons, adapted 
to deepen the impression on their minds. The chosen people 
too, were so far gone in wickedness, so ignorant of the divine 
character and government, that they were kept forty years, as it 
were, in one vast camp-meeting, learning the mind and will of 
God, and forgetting wickedness and idolatry. 

At length we find them prepared to come out among the 
Gentiles, with those moral laws so indelibly written on their 
memories, as well as on tables of stone, that they could never 
be entirely effaced. These laws were now to speak to them in- 
stead of God ; and are also to be to us in his stead. For he does 
not communicate his will to us, as he used to do to Adam, Noah, 
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets. 

These same commands were often repeated, in substance, after 
the transactions on Sinai, which seems to show, that, very pro- 
bably, they had often been before. 

The fact that there were many laws given to the Jews not 
contained in the ten commandments, and which cannot be in- 
ferred from them, fiirnishes additional proof that God made a 
distinction between these and other laws, which were given 
only for the Jews as a nation. A distinction was obviously 
needed between those, which, from their very nature, are bind- 
ing on all men, whether Jews or Gentiles, and those which re- 
ferred only to one nation, and embraced only a limited period of 
time. 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 177 

We may safely infer that God intended the Sabbath for the 
Gren tiles, because the reasons for its observance apply to them 
as much as to the Jews. They, and their servants and cattle, 
as much need the refreshment of a day of rest — they have as 
much cause for gratitude and adoration in view of the work of 
creation— God's resting is as much an example for them as for 
the Jews. If the Jews had an additional reason in their deliv- 
erance from Egyptian bondage, much more has the Christian in 
his deliverance from bondage to sin and Satan. But when we 
say to objectors, if the Jews, in their sinful state, needed a Sab- 
bath, to give them an opportunity to think of God, recount his 
mercies, admire his works, and prepare for heaven, then the 
Gentiles, for the same reason, certainly need one;- — and if it was 
the duty of the Jews to commemorate this day, on account of so 
great an event as the work of creation, it is no less a duty which 
the Gentiles owe to God, for the same common, though most 
stupendous blessings, wrought by the finger of their common 
Parent. They often inquire, why then did not God command 
other nations to keep the Sabbath ? The question may with 
equal propriety be asked, why God did not forbid other nations 
to kill, to steal, and to covet. This he did not do, nor did he 
formally give any commands to other nations ; nor is there even 
an allusion to one of them, any more than if they had not exist- 
ed, except in the phrase " thy stranger^'' in the fourth command- 
ment ; yet, what believer in the Bible ever supposed these com- 
mandments not to have been intended for the Gentiles ? 

Professor Agnew, in speaking of the Perpetuity of the Insti- 
tution, remarks, " If we now advert to the end^ or ohject of the 
institution, we shall perceive them to be adapted equally to the 
whole human family, and not peculiarly to the Jews. And 
hence its perpetuity is inferred. Was it intended to relieve both 
man and beast from the wearisomeness of uninterrupted labor? 
Then do all need it as much as the Israelites. Was it designed 
to be commemorative of the eternity, independence, self-exist- 
ence, and all the glorious perfections of Deity, as evinced in the 
work of his hands ? Then are all, equally with the Jews, in- 
terested in this commemoration. Was it provided as a means 
of man's growth and establishment in holiness ? Then does its 



178 THE SABEATH. 

end proclaim it loudly to be the birth-right of every intelligent 
creature on God's earth, a common inheritance to all the sons 
and daughters of Adam. 

" Who is the Jew, that his constitution alone, and that of his 
servants and beasts, require a regular return of freedom from the 
exhausting fatigues of constant labor ? Who is the Jew, that 
he only may set apart one day in seven for singing the high 
praises of God — that he only is obliged to bear in remembrance 
the power, and wisdom, and goodness of God, displayed in his 
completed work of creation ? Who is the Jew, that he only 
needs this pre-eminently blessed mean of attaining and securing 
conformity with the image of God ? No ! Verily, you and I, and 
Adam and Noah, are, as much as he, interested in this heavenly 
attainment. We, equally with him, must commemorate the 
six days' work of Jehovah. And our constitution, as well as his, 
was so made as to require the rest of the Sabbath." 

PKOOF FROM THE BIBLE. 

It is evident, from the language of the fourth commandment 
itself, that it was adapted and designed for the Gentile, because 
it makes special provision for him. " Thy servant^'''* and " thy 
stranger^^ does not refer to the Jews. To them, as the keepers 
of the sacred oracles, was the decalogue principally addressed, 
yet " thy stranger''' was included. We learn from their history, 
that a mixed multitude went with them from Egypt ; some, 
perhaps, from curiosity, others from affection to the Jews, and 
others, it may be, from attachment to their religion. These 
were undoubtedly the " servant" and the " stranger" who were 
among them at the time the law was given. From time to 
time, individuals, some as bondmen, and some as citizens, from 
neighboring nations, were joined unto Israel. Such were always 
required, after a suitable season of probation, to become circum- 
cised ; and were expected to obey the laws of God. *' When 
the stranger shall sojourn with thee, one law shall be to him 
that is homeborn and unto the stranger that sojourneth among 
you." In Isaiah Ivi., we find most rich and precious pro- 
mises definitely made to the sons of the stranger, even to " every 
one that keepeth the Sabbath, from polluting it." " Even them," 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 179 

says God, " will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them 
joyful in my house of prayer : their burnt-offerings and their 
sacrifices shall be accepted on mine altar." In another verse, 
specifying the same condition, he makes these promises: " Even 
unto them will I give, in mine house, and within my walls, a 
place and a name better than of sons and of daughters : I will 
give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." 
Though God did reveal himself to the Jews, and teach them his 
statutes, in a more special manner than other nations, it is plain, 
from this chapter in Isaiah, that they were not the only people 
designed to be benefited by the revelation of his mind and will ; 
but any others who would covenant with him, and obey his 
commands, were to be entitled to the same privileges. 

Some have asserted, that the Bible no where reproves the 
Gentiles for profaning the Sabbath — but whoever will read Ne- 
hemiah xiii. 16 — 21, will find that this is an unfounded asser- 
tion. From God's punishing the Gentiles for their wickedness, 
and in due time sending them the same Law and Gospel given 
to the Jews, it is evident that they were ever under as solemn 
obligations to keep all these moral, or ten commands, as were 
the Jews. The promulgation of the law on Sinai was not ne- 
cessary to make it known. It is manifest from Exodus xviii. 
16, that the statutes of God were well understood before. 
" When they have a matter," said Moses, " they come unto me, 
and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know 
the statutes of God, and his law." This was before the law 
was written. 

The Gentiles have ever been treated in the dispensations of 
Providence as accountable creatures, bound to obey the moral 
law, and amenable to God for their conduct. This is very evi- 
dently pre-supposed in Amos i. and ii., where the specific trans- 
gressions for which God visited heathen nations with judgments, 
are definitely mentioned ; and in every case, if examined, they 
will be found to be violations of the moral law. Shall we con- 
clude that they had been made acquainted with the other com- 
mands, and yet were left in utter ignorance of that in relation to 
the Sabbath ? 

The fact that the Gentile converts all kept the Lord's day, as 



180 THE SABBATH. 

the Sabbath, under the direction of the Apostles; which they 
never would have done had the Apostles been forbidden, by their 
Master, to keep it, or permitted not to keep it, is evidence that 
the Sabbath was intended for the Gentile as well as for the Jew. 

The Sabbath is said to be a sign between the children of Israel 
and God, " throughout their generations." The Jews were the 
adopted people of God; and the Sabbath, strictly observ^ed, would 
enable them to learn more and more of Him, while it distinguish- 
ed them from those who would not keep it. Gentiles among the 
Jews, who would keep the Sabbath, though strangers, were con- 
sidered as of the chosen people. Those who would not keep it, 
showed that they were not of his people. So at the present 
day — the church is God's spiritual people. All those who love 
and keep the Sabbath, show that they belong to his people, and 
those who do not, are not his people. This is and will forever 
be a sign, throughout not only the generations of Israel, but the 
generations of the Gentiles, who are now also of the people of 
God. Those who will not keep the Sabbath, have broken the 
covenant, and are not reckoned among his people. 

Deut. V. 15, contains an additional reason why Israel should 
remember the Sabbath, viz : that they had been servants in the 
land of Egypt, and the Lord had brought them thence. The en- 
emies of that day seize on this as evidence, that it was given only 
to them, as the reason applies strictly to no other nation. But, 
as we have seen, good and abundant reasons have been given for 
its observance, which apply to all men : and the fact that a spe- 
cial reason exists why a particular people should observe an insti- 
tution, does not prove its inapplicability to other people on other 
grounds. 

Ezek. XX. 12-20 is sometimes quoted to prove, that the Sab- 
bath was a sign given by God to his people, to distinguish them 
from other nations, and intended for none others. These pas- 
sages probably include the ceremonial Sabbaths. But admitting 
the contrary, there is no evidence that it would be a sign for 
them only^ and not for Gentile believers — the church after Christ 
Their rest was on a different day from that of the Gentiles, and 
that to distinguish them from pagans, who worshiped idols ; 
and in this respect it was a sign between God's children and his 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 181 

enemies. This institution would always be a sign between the 
worshipers of God and the worshipers of Baal ; as the seventh 
day was a sign between the Jews and Gentiles, — the Gentiles 
having the fin t day for their Sabbath. This sign, or distinction, 
the seventh instead of the first day Sabbath, was kept up until 
the death of Christ, when it was done away, and all were to re- 
vert back to the first day rest. 

There is another objection raised; for those who would not be 
under the law, are full of inventions. It is said the expression, 
" I gave them my Sabbaths," implies that the Sabbath was only 
for ihe?n. Observe also that all the commands were addressed 
directly to the Jews, and to each, individually, not to the race 
collectively. " Thou shalt," not all men shall, "honor thy Mher 
and My mother." If this bean objection, it may, with equal 
propriety, be urged against all the commandments. The phrase, 
however, may not refer to the weekly Sabbath, but to Sabbaths^ 
other days which were ceremonial, as for instance, the monthly 
Sabbath, or the first day of the seventh month, Sabbaths joined 
with new moons and holidays, and others which might be men- 
tioned. Where, in the Scriptures, is the plural used, when the 
original institution, or weekly Sabbath is intended ? If, howev- 
er, the expression above quoted, does refer to the weekly rest, 
God's giving it to the Jews, is no evidence that the gift was not 
intended for the Gentiles. 

" I gave them,^^ may mean another day, the seventh, to be ob- 
served as their weekly Sabbath ; a difi*erent day from the one 
they formerly kept, and which the Gentile nations still keep ; 
that " my people may be a distinct people." We are satisfied 
that the Jewish Sabbath originated in the appointment of the 
passover — that they then changed from the first day Sabbath, if 
they kept any, to keep the seventh day Sabbath ; that they 
might become a distinct people. If one seventh part of the time 
were kept holy to the Lord, it answered the design of the insti- 
tution. 

SABBATH NOT BIENTIONED. 

Others object, that as the Sabbath is not mentioned for the 
space of twenty -five hundred years after the creation, it could not 
16 



182 THE SABBATH. 

have been instituted in Eden. But if this argument prove any 
thing, it proves too much. For it is not mentioned from the time 
of Joshua till David ascended the throne. Circumcision is neither 
mentioned nor alluded to, from a little after Moses till Jeremiah, 
a period of eight hundred years. Are we to believe that none 
of the pious kings, during that long period, were circumcised ? 
Who then can say, that none of the holy patriarchs kept a Sab- 
bath, because it is not mentioned during a period of twenty-five 
hundred years ? Neither are sacrifices mentioned for fifteen hun- 
dred years — from Abel to the deluge : nor from Jacob, at Beer- 
sheba, till the deliverance from Egypt — two or three hundred 
years more. No mention is made of the Sabbath in the books of 
Joshua, Ruth, 1st and 2d Samuel, or 1st Kings, which are so 
much more specific and minute, and more voluminous, than the 
book of Genesis, in which the history of many centuries is writ- 
ten on three or four leaves of a common Bible. " The ordinance 
of the red heifer is never noticed, from the Pentateuch till the 
close of the Old Testament ; but we know from the Apostle, that 
it was in constant use." The books of Psalms and some of the 
Prophets, rarely mention the Sabbath ; but this is no evidence 
that it was not kept. 

"We are thus," in tbe language of Pres. Dwight, "come to 
this conclusion, that there are but five passages in which the 
Sabbath is mentioned in the Jewish writings, from the time 
of Moses to the return of the captivity — one thousand years. 
Two of these are found in prophecy ; and three of them in 
their history. The first of these is mentioned about five hun- 
dred years, the second six hundred, the third seven hundred 
and fifty-two, and the remaining ones, which are found in pro- 
phecy, near eight hundred years from the time of Moses." 

If, because no mention of a Sabbath is made for so long a time, 
we are to believe that there was no Sabbath during that period, 
what shall we say of the institution of marriage ? No Chris- 
tian, it is believed, will deny that it was instituted in Para- 
dise, and that the antediluvians " married and were given in 
marriage." But we find no mention of it after Eve was given 
to Adam, till long after the flood. This institution was lost 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 183 

during a much longer period than that of the Sabbath, if this 
reasoning is correct. 

It is surprising to us, that any man, in his senses, should wish 
to make it appear that we have no day of rest given us — no Sab- 
bath. But such is the fact. The friends of the Sabbath are 
often assailed by them, in the most disgraceful and opprobrious 
manner, and every effort is making to remove it from the land as 
a useless thing. But be it remembered, the Sabbath " was intend- 
ed to give the laboring classes of mankind an opportunity of rest- 
ing from toil — it was intended to be a commemoration of the 
wisdom, power, and goodness of God in the creation of the uni- 
verse — it was intended to furnish an opportunity of increasing 
holiness in man, while in a state of innocence — it was intended 
to furnish an opportunity Xo fallen man of acquiring holiness and 
of obtaining salvation. In every one of these respects, the Sab- 
bath is equally useful, important, and necessary to every child of 
Adam. It was no more necessary to a Jew to rest, after the la- 
bor of six days was ended, than to any other person." 

Why was it necessary that the beast of burden, belonging to 
the Jews, should rest one day in seven, any more than for ours ? 
Why need the G-entile servant, among the Jews, keep the Sab- 
bath, if the Gentiles now need not ? Why was God six days in 
making the world, when he could have made it as well in one 
day, or in one second, but to show us that in six days we must do 
all our work, and rest one seventh of the time ? Why was our 
time divided into weeks, if there was to be no Sabbath ? Why 
have heathen nations always had traditionary notions of a Sab- 
bath ; and from what source did they come ? 

It is supremely foolish and wicked for any man to set him- 
self up as an enemy to this humane and heavenly institution. 
If the Bible be not true, then the Sabbath may be banished 
from our world, but not otherwise. 

If there be any reason why the Gentiles are not bound to 
observe the fourth command, the same may be adduced to 
show that they are not bound to observe the first three or last 
six in the decalogue. Some are so anxious to expunge this 
command, that they divide the decalogue into two parts. The 
first three commands, which speak of the duties we owe to 



184 THE SABBATH. 

God, they include in the first ; and the last six, which speak 
of the duties we owe to ourselves and to one another, in the 
other part ; leaving out the fourth, which relates to the duties 
we owe, connectedly, to ourselves and our God— to our families, 
the stranger residing with us, and to our cattle. 

It appears from the history, that God divided them into two 
classes, or wrote them on two tables ; but he did not leave 
out the fourth, neither did he leave it for Moses to write, but 
he wrote it; and, lest it should not hold that important place 
which belonged to it, he was particular, at hoth times, when he 
wrote the commands, to place it, as it were, " in the bosom of 
the decalogue," where it must stand as a connecting link, till 
heaven and earth shall pass away. 

We must, therefore, necessarily come to the conclusion, that 
the Sabbath was instituted when God had finished the work of 
creation, and was designed for all men to the end of time. It 
must be evident to most persons that are accustomed to reason 
and think, that this is the correct conclusion ; for God has long 
been dealing with us Gentiles as he once dealt with his people 
Israel. He governs us by the same laws, and encourages us by 
the same promises. 

Obsection hi. — " But the Moral Law, or Ten Command- 
ments, HAS BEEN abrogated." 

The objector to the Sabbath also meets us often with the 
assertion, that the moral law, or ten commandments, has been 
abrogated. There was given to the Jews a moral, ceremonial, 
and judicial law. One or more of these may have been abolish- 
ed and the other still remain in Ml, if not augmented force. 
We shall see if the latter is not the case with the whole of the 
moral law, or ten commandments. Infidels, and all those who 
would give full license to their covetous desires and unholy pas- 
sions, often quote Paul, Acts xv. 5, 24, to prove that the law, 
meaning the law of the Sabbath, and indeed the whole deca- 
logue, is now no longer in force. Some of them would have no 
law, neither moral nor civil. Say they, let public sentiment 
be the only law to regulate men's actions. But it may be well 
to see how Christ and his apostles understood this matter. 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 185 

In the first place, then, in Mat. v. 17 — 19, in the memorable 
Sermon on the Mount, we find Christ using this language, — 
" Think not [for some at that day talked just as infidels and 
deists now do] that I am come to destroy the law or the pro- 
phets : I am not come to destroy, hut to fulfill. For verily I say 
unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall 
in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." But, it is 
asked, What law is here spoken of, the ceremonial, or moral ? 
Not the former, of course ; for that, as a matter of fact, was 
destroyed, u e. abrogated, at his death ; which is implied in the 
wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles being, by that 
event, broken down. The apostles too throw the whole weight 
of their inspired teachings and divinely bestowed authority, 
against the observance of the ceremonial law. Christ, then, 
did come to destroy that law. But he fulfilled the moral law, 
in his own person; he inculcated it in its purity, and as one 
having authority ; his whole system of morality is based upon 
it. If he came to destroy the moral law, he came to undo his 
own work, the effect of his own mission. But Christ, in the 
succeeding verse, has put the matter for ever at rest. " Who- 
soever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, 
and shall teach men so," &c. ; commandments^ L e, the moral 
law, which no man may break, no, not the least of them. 

" One jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till 
all be fulfilled." All the prophecies must be fulfilled; for he 
came not to destroy them. But all the prophecies are not yet 
fulfilled ; therefore, not one jot or tittle of the law, of which 
Christ spoke, can pass away, until such fulfilment. Consequent- 
ly he spoke of the ten commandments, the moral law. Now, 
who dare take from this law, from these commandments, the 
law of the Sabbath ? Would the fourth precept be not so much 
as a jot or tittle, or one of the least of them ? If not, then Christ 
may not call the man who tears it from the decalogue, to ac- 
count for his conduct. But be it remembered by all who would 
go to heaven, that their righteousness must exceed the righteous- 
ness of the Scribes and the Pharisees, far exceed it, or they will 
finally fail of reaching that holy place. The whole of the deca- 
logue, then, as written by the finger of God on tables of stone, 
16* 



186 THE SABBATH. 

and all the prophecies, remain as they were at Christ's coming. 
The law is still, and for ever shall be, every word of it, in force j 
and all the prophecies shall be accomplished. The ceremonial 
law, and things typical of Christ, were abrogated when he hung 
upon the cross, and these only. The day of rest, then, necessa- 
rily reverted back, as the object of the first change was accom- 
plished. 

Mat. xxii. 36, 37. *' Master, which is the great command- 
ment in the law ? Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy G-od with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with 
all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And 
the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy- 
self. On these two commandments hang all the law and the 
prophets." 

This Pharisee, who was a lawyer, understood what was meant 
by " the law and the prophets:" he evidently anticipated the 
answer he received. No sooner was the question propounded, 
than Christ gave the answer. This he did by including in one 
commandment the sum of all that was contained in the first 
table of the law, touchmg his duty to G-od ; and in the other, 
the sum of all that was written on the second table of the law, 
or ten commandments, touching his duty to man ; assuring the 
lawyer, that these two commandments were the foundation, on 
which all the law and the prophets stood : they were built on 
these two main pillars. Unless these were observed, the pro- 
phecies could not be fulfilled, nor would any of the ceremonial 
or judicial laws avail any thing, if these, z. e. the ten command- 
ments, were given up. 

Christ did not tell this lawyer that there was any difference 
in the commandments ; that the Sabbath was one of minor im- 
portance and could be dispensed with ; or that those in the sec- 
ond table were not equally dear to him with those in the first 
table : but " the second is like unto it " — each, all are important, 
and cannot be separated. Should any person say, that the Sab- 
bath cannot be included in either of these commandments, men- 
tioned by our Savior, he would greatly err, not understanding 
the Scriptures, nor observing the physical as well as spiritual 
benefits of that day. Love to our neighbor will prompt us to 



FOR GENTILE AS WELL AS JEW. 187 

give him a Sabbath. And we cannot love God, if we " do not 
the things which he says." 

In Luke xvi. 17, Christ says, " And it is easier for heaven and 
earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fail." In the previous 
context he had said, " The law and the prophets were until 
John : since that time the kingdom of God is preached." As if 
he had said, before^ it was not preached as it now is. But let 
no man suppose from this, that John or myself have done away 
the law or the prophets ; for " it is easier for heaven and earth 
to pass than one tittle of the law to fail ;" the law is immutable ; 
heaven and earth will fail, but the law cannot. 

John i. 17. " For the law was given by Moses, but grace and 
truth came by Jesus Christ." The moral law, or ten command- 
ments, is here evidently contrasted with grace. 

John vii. 19. '' Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none 
of you keepeth the law ? Why go ye about to kill me ?" Evi- 
dently referring to the sixth commandment, the moral law. 
See also 23d verse, " law of Moses," which there means the law 
of circumcision — a part of the ceremonial law. The ceremonial 
law is frequently called the law of Moses, while the ten com- 
mandments are called the law of God, and we know not that 
they ever were called the law of Moses, unless when referring 
to the whole Pentateuch. God wrote the moral, Moses the 
ceremonial law ; hence the propriety of this usage to distinguish 
them—" the law of God, and the law of Moses." The Moral 
Law is also too high to be reached by mortals. No one can 
destroy, or alter, or abrogate it. See also verse 49. " This peo- 
ple who knoweth not the law are cursed," i. e., the unbelieving 
people that followed Jesus. 

Some in Paul's day taught, that faith made void the law, thai 
the man who believed in Christ was no longer bound by the 
law. See Rom. iii. 28. " Therefore we conclude that a man is 
justified by faith without the deeds of the law." To this un- 
scriptural conclusion, Paul in the 31st verse replies, " Do we 
then make void the law through faith ? God forbid : yea, we 
establish the law," i. e., the moral law, that law which is in its 
very nature indestructible, and adapted to the government of 
moral, accountable creatures, in all ages of the world. No one 



188 THE SABBATH. 

of the commands can be taken from the decalogue ; and the 
Sabbath is an essential part of it, one of its immutable, natural, 
as well as moral laws. 

The moral law, then, Paul being witness, stands complete in 
all its parts ; established^ if possible, more firmly than ever, by 
what Christ and his Apostles have done. Let no man then con- 
clude, that he can by any means avoid the claims of the moral 
law. He cannot do it. It stands, all of it, unrepealed, and will 
for ever so stand. Romans iv. 15. " For where no law is, there 
is no transgression." If the moral law is done away, then there 
is no sin. In order then to determine what is, and what is not 
sinful, we need the whole law. That touches every case of 
transgression which can be committed against God or man. 

Romans v. 13. " But sin is not imputed, where there is no 
law." 

Romans vii. 1. " Know ye not, brethren, how that the law 
hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth ?" Now infidels 
acknowledge that the ceremonial law was done away by the 
coming of Christ ; and they would not wish to have it under- 
stood that this quotation referred to the judicial law of the Jews. 
That would be too strict for them. Hence we know not how 
they can avoid the conclusion that the passage speaks of the 
moral law as a whole ; and that no part of it has ever been abro- 
gated, nor ever can be. This law, O man, whether you will or 
not, hath dominion over you. Again, in the third verse, Paul 
states the conditions necessary to constitute adultery, i. e., that 
a woman be married to another man during her husband's life- 
time ; in which case " the law" calls her an adulteress ; that is, 
of course, the moral law. In the sixth verse the phrase, " deliv- 
ered from that law" means, not from obligation to obey it, but 
that by faith in Christ, we may be delivered from its condemn- 
ing power. 

The passage in verse 7, " Is the law sin ? God forbid," toge- 
ther with the whole of the Apostle's argument in this chapter, 
amounts to this : the Christian religion, instead of doing away, 
or contradicting the commandments, establishes, and is in exact 
accordance with, them. The law is as holy, just, and good, and 



THE LAW STILL IN FORCE. 189 

as necessary now, as ever it was before the coming of Christ. 
No part of it is sin, no part unnecessary, no part unjust. 

Verse 22. " For I delight in the law of G-od after the inward 
man." Such is the feeling of that Apostle towards the law of 
God, who has been quoted to prove its abrogation. He still 
" delights in it." This holy man, in loving the law, did not 
love that which he had been instrumental in abolishing. He 
could not delight in a nonentity. The Christian Sabbath was a 
part of the law he delighted in. 

Romans viii. 7. " Law of G-od," i. e., moral law, not the law 
of Moses; also, xiii. 8, 10, " Love is the fulfilling of the law." 
Of course, law here means the ten commandments. 

Efhesians ii. 15. "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, 
even the law of commandments, contained in ordinances, to make 
in himself of twain one new man, so making peace." This text, 
the objector also thinks supports his position. But, by a careful 
examination, it is easy to see the Apostle's meaning. He is 
giving to the Ephesians a short view of what Christ has done 
for them, in breaking down the wall of partition between them 
and the Jews ; that he has brought them nigh by his blood — 
is their peace ; and of the twain, the two classes, has made one 
new man, in himself, by abolishing in the flesh the enmity, i. e., 
doing away those ceremonial laws, or ordinances, which had 
been established to keep them separate, and were in the way of 
their coming together. Thus, by removing the law of command- 
ments, in ordinances^ the enmity between Jew and Gentile should 
by and by cease. 

James ii. 8, 10, shows that the whole law was yet in force. 
" For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one 
pointy he is guilty of all." The sixth and seventh commands 
are mentioned, which shows that it is the ten commandments, 
of which the Apostle speaks. 

1 John iii. 4. " Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also 
the law ; for sin is the transgression of the law." From this 
also it appears that the law, the moral law, is still in force. 

Let it be observed, that the original institution of the Sabbath, 
as related. Exodus xx., is not only a moral precept, but is among 
the immutable natural laws, and can never be abrogated or re- 



190 THE SABBATH. 

pealed by any being on earth, or in heaven, without a change in 
the divine government, as appears from Christ's own words, 
and the declaration of the Apostle, as before stated. Let the 
enemies of that institution know, that it stands so high, that 
they cannot reach it, is so broad that they cannot span it, and 
so deep that they cannot fathom it. It was given, distmct and 
apart from the ceremonial laws ; written on stone by the finger 
of God, and held a most prominent and honorable place in the 
decalogue. It was laid up in the ark with the other immutably 
holy and just precepts, there for ever to remain. Christ did not 
abrogate it, for one jot or tittle of the law, that is, the moral law, 
could not fail. The Apostles dared not touch it; and there is 
not the least evidence in the New Testament that they ever did 
do it away ; but on the contrary, when with Christ they always 
kept it, and after his resurrection, they observed the same insti- 
tution, though on another day, which Christ himself honored by 
his presence with them* If the institution had been abolished 
the Apostles would have known the fact, nor would their Leader 
have encouraged them in keeping a Sabbath, if he had not in- 
tended to have one observed after his death. 

We consider it as for ever settled, by Christ himself, had we 
no other testimony than what is derived from his words and 
actions, that Christians are as much bound to keep a Sabbath, 
as were the patriarchs, or the Jews. That precept stands, in 
relation to this matter, just where the other nine do. If the 
fourth is repealed by his act, so are the others. 

If the Sabbath has ceased to be binding, and, as some pretend, 
it be sinful to keep it, being one of the holy days which the 
Apostle forbade to be kept, then the declaration of Isaiah, (Ixvi. 
23,) when speaking of the millenium, that all men would then 
keep the Sabbath, will never come to pass. 

The moral and ceremonial laws God has always kept sepa- 
rate and apart; and by so doing, shown to his creatures his in- 
tention forever to keep them distinct. He wrote the one, and 
caused Moses, his servant, to write the other. In their natures 
they differ. Their objects are different, and their effects differ- 
ent. One could be spared from the world before the days of 
Moses, and since the days of Christ ; the other could never be 



THE LAW STILL IN FORCE. 191 

spared from this world, as may clearly be inferred from God's 
governing his creatures, before the ten commandments were 
written, by the principles of that law, which, in all probability, 
were well known to the ancients, though not yet written. Do 
not these things establish the doctrine, that all men are now 
under obligation to keep the fourth commandment ? Here is a 
great rule of moral right, which, though the record of it might 
be burned up and forgotten by man, can never cease to be bind- 
ing on moral beings. We consider it, in its nature, indestructi- 
ble — immutable as the throne of Him from whom it emanates. 
It stands, a holy rule, between God and man. Through it we 
see and know God, while we learn our duty to him, ourselves, 
and to one another. All the law is holy, perfect, essential, and 
everlasting in its very nature. We should as soon expect the 
infidel and the Deist to succeed, were they to attempt to pull 
down the throne of the Almighty, as to expect they would suc- 
ceed in destroying that law, or even rendering one jot or tittle of 
it liable ever to fail. Let them beware how they lay their pol- 
luted hands on so holy and so omnipotent an instrument. Their 
enterprise is as fruitless as it is wicked and malicious, and may 
bring down, in this life, merited rebuke. It certainly will, if 
unrepented of, be punished in the next with everlasting destruc- 
tion. When we attempt to defend the character of this law, it 
awakens in us feelings similar to those we have when we un- 
dertake to defend the character and existence of God. It seems 
a work of supererogation, and too holy a matter for sinful man 
to engage in. The laio was from eternity. God has written it, 
and handed it down to men. He holds it out before their eyes. 
It is himself in perfection : and rather than suffer it to be blotted 
out, or any of its principles dispensed with, as it relates to ra- 
tional, accountable creatures, he would dash this world, which 
he has made, and which he sustains, to atoms — and none could 
prevent the awful catastrophe. 

This law cannot be lost, nor abrogated, either by men on 
earth, or spirits in heaven or hell. It is forever settled ; it caii' 
not he abrogated or lost. No, not even its author — with defe- 
rence we speak it — can abrogate it, until he change his own na- 
ture and the mode of his government. 



192 THE SABBATH. 

But he is immutable. Blessed truth ! Let it be repeated by- 
all good men in the ears of the ungodly — He is immutable. 

Objection IV. — "The New Testament does not require a 
Sabbath." 

Another objection with which we are often met is, that the 
New Testament does not require a Sabbath. 

The Jewish law, say they, was abolished by Christ on the 
cross, according to Acts xv. In further proof of the same asser- 
tion, Paul is quoted, in Gal. iv. 10, 11 : " Ye observe days and 
times," &c. " I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed labor in 
vain." Col. ii. 16 : " Let no man therefore judge you in meat 
or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or 
of the Sabbath days, which are a shadow of things to come." 
Rom. xiv. 5 : " One man esteemeth one day above another. 
Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully 
persuaded in his own mind." 

This objection, and the texts quoted to prove it, remind us of 
the language of a distinguished divine to a layman who enter- 
tained the same opinion with the author of the objection, and 
cited some of these passages in its defence. " I aver, therefore," 
said he, with confidence, " that no truly liberal-minded and com- 
petently informed person, could have written like our author. 
For writing and publishing such a passage as this, I hesitate not 
to brand him with disingenuousness, or arrogant ignorance." 

Those who quote the above passage in Acts to prove that 
the moral law, or any one of the ten commandments, was abol- 
ished by Christ, either have not yet learned how little they 
know about the subject, or they are not honest. The passage 
relates wholly to the ceremonial law, as almost any Sunday 
school child can see. It is surprising to us, that wicked men, 
haters of the Bible, and rejectors of its truth, attempt to quote^ 
much more to expound it. When they do, their expositions are 
often very similar to those addressed to Eve in the garden, and 
to our Savior on the pinnacle of the temple. 

If all those who raise these objections had been studying the 
Bible on Sunday, instead of spending that day in labor and sport, 
we should not have been made to blush for their ignorance 



NEW TESTAMENT VIEW. 193 

of its truths, or for their disposition to tear away the main pillars 
of our religion and our free institutions. We shall, however, 
subjoin a few extracts in relation to part of these quotations. 

President Humphrey, on this point, says, " If the repealing 
act is any where recorded in the Bible, it is either in Kom. xiv. 
5, 6, or in Col. ii. 16, 17. No one, we believe, pretends to place 
much stress upon any other passage. The text in Romans is 
this: ' One man esteemeth one day above another; another es- 
teemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in 
his own mind. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the 
Lord ; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth 
not regard it.' Does the apostle here mean to say, that under 
the new, or Christian dispensation, it is a matter of indifference 
which day of the week is kept as a Sabbath, or whether any 
Sabbath at all is kept ? Surely those who thus construe his 
meaning, * do greatly err, not knowing the Scriptures.' 

" Every attentive reader of the New Testament must have 
observed, that, for some years after the resurrection of Christ, 
the Jewish and Christian dispensations were, in practice, blend- 
ed together ; the former being gradually abolished, and the latter 
as gradually brought in to take its place. And hence the dis- 
putes which the apostle endeavors to settle. ' Him,' he says, 
' that is weak in the faith, receive ye ; but not to doubtful dis- 
putations. For one believeth that he may eat all things. Ano- 
ther, that is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth, de- 
spise him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not, 
judge him that eateth ; for God hath received him. "Who art 
thou that judgest another man's servant. To his own master he 
standeth or falleth, yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able 
to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another, 
another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully 
persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day re- 
gardeth it unto the Lord. And he that regardeth not the day, 
to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the 
Lord, for he giveth God thanks ; and he that eateth not, to the 
Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.' Who, for a mo- 
ment, after reading this quotation, can doubt that the Apostle 
had reference solely to the ceremonial law, and had nothing to 
17 



194 THE SABBATH. 

say about the original institiuion of the Sabbath ? He is speak- 
ing voholly of ceremonies not then binding on Christians, though, 
if observed, not sinful, when it was done conscientiously, to glo- 
rify God. ' Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.' " 
From Barnes' Notes on these passages, we have the follow- 
ing : — " That the Apostle did not mean to say that it was a mat- 
ter of indifference whether it [the Lord's day] should be kept as 
holy, or devoted to business or amusement, is plain from the 
following considerations. ] . The discussion had reference only 
to the peculiar customs of the Jews^ to the rites and practices 
which they would attempt to impose on the Gentiles, and not 
to any questions which might arise among Christians, as Chris- 
tians, The inquiry pertained to meats and festival observances 
among the Jews, and to their scruples about partaking of the 
food offered to idols, &c., and there is no more propriety in sup- 
posing that the subject of the Lord's day is introduced here, than 
that he advances principles respecting laptism and the Lordh Sup- 
per, 2. The Lord's day was doubtless observed by all Christians, 
whether converted from Judaism or heathenism. See 1 Cor. 
xvii. 2 ; Acts xx. 7 ; Rev. i. 10 ; Comp. Notes on John xx. 26. 
The propriety of observing that day does not appear to have been 
a matter of controversy. The only inquiry was, whether it was 
proper to add to that the observance of the Jewish Sabbaths and 
days of festivals and feasts. 3. It is expressly said that those 
who did not regard the day, regarded it as not to God, or to 
honor God : verse 6. They did it as a matter of respect to him 
and his institutions; to promote his glory and to advance his 
kingdom. Was this ever done by those who disregarded the 
Christian Sabbath? Is their design ever to promote his honor, 
and to advance in the knowledge of Him by neglecting his holy 
day ? Who knows not that the Christian Sabbath has never 
been neglected or profaned by any design to glorify the Lord 
Jesus, or to promote his kingdom ? It is for purposes of busi- 
ness, gain, war, amusement, dissipation, visiting, crime. Let 
the heart be filled with a sincere desire to honor the Lord Jesus, 
and the Christian Sabbath will be reverenced, and devoted to 
the purposes of piety. And if any man is disposed to plead this 
passage as an excuse for violating the Sabbath, and devoting it 



NEW TESTAMENT VIEW. 195 

to pleasure, or gain, let him understand it just as it is : L e. let 
him neglect the Sabbath from a conscientious desire to honor Jesus 
Christ. Unless this is his motive, the passage cannot avail him. 
But this motive never yet influenced a Sabbath-breaker. 

From Acts xx. 7, we see that the disciples kept the Christian 
Sabbath, and assembled for religious worship on the Lord's day. 
This was nearly thirty years after the resurrection. Paul preach- 
ed to them. He who had, as the objectors say, preached the 
abolition of the weekly rest ! ! 

In 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2, written about the same time, allusion is 
made by Paul to the Christian Sabbath, and the custom of the 
church in assembling together for worship and collections for 
public charities. 

Let us now examine the passage in Col. ii. 16, 17, " Let no 
man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect to an 
holy day, or of the new moons, or of the Sabbath days, which are 
a shadow of things to come ; but the body is of Christ." " Here, 
as some have triumphantly alleged is the repealing act." 

But it must first be proved that the Apostle had reference to 
the original institution, instead of the Jewish seventh day Sab- 
bath, or the other Sabbaths which the Jews were commanded to 
keep — such as the first day of the seventh month, and also the 
tenth day of the same throughout their generations. Lev. xxiii. 
3, a Sabbath of rest is appointed, an holy convocation. These 
and other ceremonial days were called holy : and in them no 
work was to be done, but they were not the weekly Sabbath. 
The Apostle, as we apprehend, has no reference to the latter. 
Meats, drinks, new moons, holy days, and Sabbath days, cannot 
mean the original day of rest, as has already been proved. If 
the apostle did mean to include the Jewish seventh day Sabbath, 
it does not follow that he intended to touch the original institu- 
tion. That was already changed back to the first day, which 
Christians were keeping, and Paul among the rest. 

Says Pres. Dwight, '^ The Sabbath appears to be regularly 
distinguished from Sabbaths; and as Sabbaths are regularly 
joined with new moons and other holidays of the Jews, which 
the Sabbath never is ; it is clear to me that the Sabbath is not 
alluded to in any of these instances." Perhaps not even the 



196 THE SABBATH. 

Jewish seventh day Sabbath. Sabbaths in these passages may- 
refer merely to the ordinary holidays of the Jews. 

The same may be said of Gal. iv. 9-1 1, " How turn ye again 
to the weak and beggarly elements whereunto ye desire again 
to be in bondage. Ye observe days, and months, and times, and 
years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor 
in vain." Paul is evidently speaking of the ceremonies of the 
Jews, which were not binding on Christians. Acts xv. has no- 
thing at all to do with this subject. It is on circumcision, and 
the ceremonial law of Moses. For the same Apostle loved and 
kept the moral law, and commanded others to keep it. 

Pres. Humphbey says, — " The plural form, Sahhath days^ 
rarely, if ever, occurs in Scripture when the original institution 
is intended." This is to be understood of the English version. 

Hear the opinion of an able foreign writer on this subject. "It 
is evident, from the context, that the Apostle was speaking of 
the ordinances of the ceremonial law ; for the neglect of which no 
Christian was to be condemned. ' Blotting out the hand- writing of 
ordinances, that was against us, which was contrary to us and took 
it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. Let no man therefore 
judge you in meat or in drink, &:c., or of the Sabbath days.' 

"In this passage the Apostle was doubtless speaking of bur- 
densome ordinances; of something that was against them, and 
contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. But can any pious person 
conceive that the spending one day in seven, in spiritual services, 
could be ranked by the holy Apostle, among the things which 
were against Christianity and contrary to it ? Was that institu- 
tion, which the people of God had been commanded to call a de- 
light, the holy of the Lord and honorable; now to be esteemed 
of so carnal a nature as to be ranked amongst the things which 
Christ took out of the way, nailing it to the cross ? Were those 
holy persons, who had been accustomed to adopt the language 
of the Psalmist, ' I was glad when they said unto me, let us go 
into the house of the Lord,' now taught to esteem a day spent in 
such service, as a part of that yoke, whichneither the Apostles, nor 
their fathers were able to bear ?' Nay, verily. We might just as 
well say, that Christ abrogated the whole moral law. Then the . 
law of the Sabbath has never been repealed. ' The law has no lim- 



NEW TESTAJVIENT VIEW. 197 

ations, and, therefore, can never expire." It is then, still binding 
on Jews and Gentiles ; and always will be on all men to the end 
of time. It may be considered the great instrument to bring 
mBn to Christ, and perpetuate the religion of the cross. With- 
out it men would sooner be deists than Christians ; sooner be 
gross, filthy, ignorant idolators, than civil, intelligent, and happy 
citizens. 

The truth is, those who are laboring to bring the Sabbath into 
disrepute, and expunge it from the moral code, are at least gross- 
ly ignorant of the Bible, the book of nature, and Providence ; and 
of their own best interests and those of the world. We are more 
and more inclined to the opinion, that every enemy of the Sab- 
bath, and of its strictly religious observance, is an infidel. It 
may be that he has not yet discovered precisely where he stands ; 
but be it known to him and the world, that he is an enemy to 
the Christian and to the Jewish religion, and feels uneasy under 
the restraints, which both the law and the Gospel impose. Ig- 
norance, and the subtlety of designing men, may, and doubtless 
do, lead many astray ; but if they hate the Sabbath, and the du- 
ties which it enjoins ; and are unwilling to perform them, they 
are " in the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity," laboring to 
destroy all good, here and hereafter, and on their way to an eter- 
nal hell. All that men now say and do against this institution, 
proceeds from enmity to the general cause of truth and holiness, 
or from criminal ignorance. We look upon them all, as the en- 
emies of Jesus Christ, as the enemies of their species, and as 
insidious foes to our republican institutions ; though many of 
them are not sensible of the fact. 

Hev, Mr. Doolittle makes the following remarks on the pas- 
sage, Col. ii. 16. " Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in 
drink, or in respect to an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the 
Sabbath days^ 

" A satisfactory key to the text may be found in the following 
facts, all capable of conclusive demonstration. 

1. So much of the law of Moses as might properly be termed 
ceremonial, in distinction from the moral law, ceased to be es- 
sential after the establishment of the Christian dispensation. 

" 2. Though the Apostles and others, regarded the ceremonial 
17* 



198 THE SABBATH. 

law as thus abrogated, yet, inasmuch as many of the Christian 
Jews were conscientiously attached to its observance, the Apos- 
tles and Christian Jews generally, for the sake of harmony 
among themselves, and perhaps to avoid giving offence need- 
lessly, to the ruling powers, conformed, as to a thing of unessen- 
tial moment. 

"3. In opposition to the claims of certain Judaizing teachers, 
Paul taught, and laboriously vindicated the position, that the ob- 
servance of the ceremonial law should not be enjoined on the 
Gentile converts. The text in question, with its connection, is 
an argument of this sort. 

" 4. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the rest of one day in 
seven, enjoined in the moral law, was transferred to the first day 
of the week, which was known as the Lord's day, and hence, the 
observance of the seventh day of the week, or the Sabbath, as a 
Jew in those days would understand the term, was, with propri- 
ety, classed with the abrogated ceremonial. 

" In the text quoted then the Apostle speaks particularly of holy 
days, new moons, and Sabbath days, (Sabbaths in the original) 
as belonging to the handwriting of ordinances, which was taken 
out of the way by the death of Christ, being * a shadow of things 
to come.' The Greek word, sopn?, which is here translated holy 
day, is nowhere else so translated in the New Testament. The 
strict signification of the word is, a public festival. I have noted 
twenty-eight passages in which the word is translated feast, in 
all of which it manifestly relates to some of the three great pub- 
lic festivals ordained in the law of Moses, but most frequently to 
the feast of the Passover. I know of no passage in which the 
word is used in relation to any other feast. When occasional or 
private feasts are spoken of, some other word is always used. It 
is then certain that a Jew or the Christian Colossians would dis- 
tinctly understand the Apostle by the word translated holy day, 
to speak of the annual public festivals belonging to the Mosaic 
ceremonial. The new moon was a festival enjoined in the law 
of Moses, not public, but observed in families, or by private cir- 
cles of kindred. The ' Sabbath days.' In the original it is 
* Sabbaths.' This use of the plural does not, however, appear 
to express any thing different from the use of the singular, as, 



NEW TESTAMENT VIEW. 199 

from some idiom of the language, the plural of this word is 
often put for the singular. 

" It is, however, clear that the Apostle did not understand by it 
the rest^ enjoined in the fourth commandment, which now, by 
Christian usage, was observed on the first day of the week, and 
denominated the Lord's day. That this precept of the moral 
law belonged to ' the handwriting of ordinances that was against 
us, which was contrary to us' and was merely ' a shadow of 
things to come,' can, in no candor of interpretation, be shown. 
That he meant by it the ceremonial Sabbaths, such as the Sab- 
bath of the seventh year, — the first and tenth days of the seventh 
month. Lev. xxiii. 24, 32, &c. is a supposition in perfect consis- 
tency with the scope of his discourse. Equally so may be the 
supposition, that by it he meant the observance of the seventh 
day of the week, which now, though in accordance with the 
Jewish practice denominated the Sabbath, had been succeeded by 
the Lord's day, and of course, being in connection with the Chris- 
tian Sabbath, both unnecessary and burdensome, it might, with 
propriety be ranked with ' the handwriting of ordinances which 
was against us,' and regarded as ' a shadow' of that day which 
has succeeded to its place. The last supposition, if correct, posi- 
tively authorizes the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to 
the first day of the week." 

The passage. Mat. xxiv. 20, " But pray you that your flight 
be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day," shows that, 
not only Christ's disciples, but all men, after his death, were to 
keep a Sabbath. For, the time of which he spake in this pas- 
sage, was about forty years after his death, and there was to be 
a Sabbath at that time. If the Jewish Sabbath should be abol- 
ished, still there would be a day of rest, of religious worship — a 
Sabbath ; for Sabbath means rest. There had always been a Sab- 
bath, and always would be, to the end of time. There is no es- 
cape from this passage ; for Christ was addressing his foil oivers, 
not those who might reject him, and therefore cling to the Jew- 
ish Sabbath, or rest. If the disciples were to keep 7io Sabbath, 
after Christ, it would be immaterial, on what day their flight 
should happen. 

As the seventh day was given to the Jews, in distinction from 



200 THE SABBATH. 

the first day, or Sunday of the Pagans, so, at the abolition of the 
Jewish dispensation, all the Jews were to revert back to the 
day kept by the Patriarchs, which would be the day on which 
Christ rose from the dead. 

It is evident that Christ did not abolish the Jewish Sabbath 
while on earth, from the fact, that his disciples, and the women 
who were present at the crucifixion, would not do any work on 
that day, however urgent, not even anoint the body of their Lord; 
but rested on the Jewish Sabbath. Then, at break of day, after 
it was past, they went to perform the work, Luke xxiii. oQ^ and 
xxiv. 1. Can any one rationally doubt, that Jesus Christ taught 
his disciples, both by precept and example, before his death, to 
observe the Jewish Sabbath, and after his resurrection, the 
Lord's day. 

Isaiah, Ixvi. 22, 23 — " For as the new heavens and the new 
earth which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, 
so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to 
pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath 
to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the 
Lord." 

" This prophecy beyond all question, refers to the prosperous 
state of the church, under the millenial reign of the Messiah ; 
the most glorious period of that new dispensation which seems 
to be shadowed forth under the emblem of new heavens and a 
new earth. The church is then to have her ministers, solenmi- 
ties. Sabbath and holy ordinances, as she had under the Levitical 
priesthood. The Sabbath will then be observed by the people 
of God ; and of course it was not abolished with the ceremonial 
law, but belongs to the new dispensation, as certainly as it did to 
the old." Such a day as the millenium will never come, should 
the Sabbath be given up. When that day breaks upon the 
world we shall have a Sabbath. No man will then dare risk 
his reputation, and the amazing interests of his soul, by laboring 
to prove that the Sabbath was abolished by our Savior. 

But, as Christ came not to destroy the law nor the prophets, 
this prophecy is to be accomplished, and there will then be a 
Sabbath ; and all flesh shall come and worship before the Lord. 
The enemies of the Sabbath will dread to see that day ; and 



NEW TESTAMENT VIEW. 201 

they will not long behold, even the dawn of it, unless they re- 
pent and turn to God. 

Now the devil and his emissaries on earth long to see the 
Sabbath wholly abolished, for then their reign would be univer- 
sal. They would like to see it swept from the decalogue, for 
then all the other precepts, therein contained, which now so 
much disturb them, would share the same fate. 

" The following also will illustrate the fact that the com- 
mand to remember the Sabbath day, is not revoked," and show 
that the New Testament lays men under obligation to observe 
it. " An Apostle has delivered this precept — ' Upon the first 
day of the week let every one lay by him in in store,' &c. 
1 Cor. xvi. 2. " Two things are here enjoined — a duty, and the 
time for its performance. A collection must be made for the 
poor saints, and this collection must be taken up on the first day 
of the week; and this high authority enjoins the last as deci- 
sively as the first. But collections for the saints were always 
made by the churches in their weekly assemblies for worship. 
Hence in connection with remembering the poor, the precept 
involves an injunction to meet for divine worship on the first 
day of the week." 

Heb. X. 25 — " Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves 
together as the manner of some is, [but exhorting, &c.]" This 
is in the New Testament. It would seem to imply that there 
must be a stated time for assembling, or men would rarely as- 
semble together. There is a time — a stated time for religious 
worship, fixed by Almighty God, and foolish and wicked indeed 
is that man, who would do it away. The same author says, 
" There is another argument which ought to be brought into 
view. This Sabbath is in the New Testament called the 
Lord's day. Rev. i. 10. Now when God puts his name on 
persons, or things, he intimates, that they are in a peculiar 
manner devoted to him, for no common display of his glory. If 
this day then be the Lord^s day, it must be specially devoted to 
him in religious service. St. John fixed, by these terms, the 
precise period on which he received his holy revelation. It was 
on the Lord's day. He could not without the imputation of 
trifling, mean every day, or any day. This phrase is not singu- 



202 THE SABBATH. 



n 



iar nor obscure ; its meaning is clearly determined in other 
particulars. Thus we say the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Prayer. 
No man complains of the obscurity of these phrases — we know 
distinctly at first, what idea is meant to be conveyed by them." 

But it is asked, has not an Apostle classed Sabhath dayswiih 
the abolished ceremonies of the Jews ? He has, and this in- 
stead of operating against our argument, confirms what we 
have been advancing. The sacred writers invariably use the 
term Sabhath^ in the New Testament, when writing of the Jew- 
ish rest. And this establishes the fact that they have abolished 
the seventh day Sabbath. But the command given before the 
ceremonies, to keep the day of rest, stands unrepealed. Facts 
clearly show, that the Apostle ceased to regard the seventh day 
as a Sabbath, binding on Christians, but regarded the Lord's 
day, the first day of the week, as the Sabbath for all future 
ages and for all people. They ceased to keep the Jewish Sab- 
bath, or seventh day; for the day, after the death of Christ, was 
changed, and they kept the Christian, or first day Sabbath. 

It is thought that the 118th Psalm contains a prediction that 
the Jewish Sabbath should be changed to the day Christ rose 
from the dead. The passage is as follows : — " The stone 
which the builders refused is become the head stone of the 
comer. This is the Lord's doing, it is marvellous in our 
eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice 
and be glad in it." No less than six times is this passage quoted 
and applied to Christ m the New Testament. It may refer to 
the day of his resurrection, which should be kept as a Sabbath 
by his followers. 

The Apostles kept and authorized to be kept the Lord's day ; 
and always met with the disciples on that day for religious 
worship, breaking of bread and collecting the charities of the 
church, which, it is believed, has been abundantly proved. 
Sure we are that the contrary can never be shown by authentic 
documents, now accessible. That this was their custom no one 
can doubt who believes their word and the testimony of the an- 
cient fathers. 

Compare Mat. xii. 8. — " For the Son of Man is Lord even of 
the Sabbath day." 1 Cor. xi. 20. " When ye come together, 



NEW TESTABIENT VIEW. 203 

therefore, into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper." 
AndRev. i. 10. " I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day." " Now 
if Christ was Lord of the Sabbath, if the Sabbath was his day, 
and if the Lord's day was the first day of the week, then is the 
first day of the week the Christian Sabbath." Why if the Sab- 
bath was done away in Christ, did he attempt to defend it ? It 
was never done away by his coming. 

" The Sabbath has been kept as holy time by the people of 
God in all ages. It has been to them, not a burden but a delight, 
the holy of the Lord and honorable. That the Apostles and 
primitive churches statedly assembled for public worship on the 
Lord's day, is certain. And that they abstained from labor and 
spent the whole day in religious duties, may be confidently in- 
ferred, as well from their eminent piety, as from the sanctions 
of the divine law, which they cannot be supposed to have dis- 
regarded. For we have already proved that Jesus Christ left 
the law as he found it, after freeing it from the false glosses of 
the Scribes and Pharisees. The disciples would of course take 
it from him. And as the people of God had always done before 
them, they would remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 

This is the only fair and legitimate inference — it cannot be 
set aside by any thing short of direct proof to the contrary. The 
Bible furnishes no such proof: not a word, nor a hint, that 
Christians of the Apostolic age did their own work, or found their 
own pleasure on the Lord's day." 

CEREMONIAL SABBA.THS AND FESTIVALS. 

Of the ceremonial Sabbaths, only seven will be mentioned. 
Gurney says, " The principles of the Sabbath were extended to 
every seventh year, and to all the Jewish festivals." 

The Original Institution^, the Weekly Sabbath, is sometimes 
called a feast, Exod. xiii. 6. 
. The New Moons were Monthly feasts, Num. xxviii. 11. 

The Passover was a yearhj feast, Exod. xxxiv. 25, and com- 
memorated the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt ; some- 
times called the feast of Unleavened Bread. It is also called a 
Sabbath, continued seven days, and was one of the great yearly 
festivals. 



204 THE SABBATH. 

Pentecost, Lev. xxiii. 11, 17, was also one of the great yearly- 
festivals, and is called a Sabbath. It continued but one day, 
and commemorated the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; call- 
ed also feast of weeks and day of first fruits. 

Feast of Tabernacles, Lev. xxiii. 34. This also was ano- 
ther of the great yearly festivals, (all of which have now been 
named,) and continued eight days; the first and last of which 
were called Sabbaths. During this feast the children of Israel 
dwelt in booths. 

Feast of Trumpets, Lev. xxiii. 24, was also called Sabbath, 
and occurred once in seven months ; called a memorial of blow- 
ing of trumpets; a holy convocation. 

Atonement, Lev. xxiii. 27, was called a Sabbath of rest unto 
Israel. It was to commence on the eve of the ninth ; being, as 
time was then reckoned, the tenth day of the seventh month. 
Sometimes it is called the day of propitiation. On this day all 
Israel were to afflict their souls. But all the other festivals, 
whether public or private, were days of rejoicing; not of sinful 
amusement and mirth, but designed to be of holy joy and thanks- 
giving. On this day the Jubilee^ or 50th year festival, com- 
menced. 

Feast of Purim, Esther ix. 17, 32. 

Feast of Sabbaths, or Every Seventh Year, Lev. xxv. 4 ; also 
called the Sabbatical Year. 

Feast of Jubilee, Lev. xxv. 8, 9, was on the 50th year, called 
Sabbath; which was to begin on the tenth day of the seventh 
month, or day of atonement. It was ushered in by the sound 
of the trumpet throughout all the land. 

Here are some of the Ceremonial Sabbaths, of which the 
apostle speaks in Col. ii. 16, as the handwriting of ordinances, 
and shadows of things to come ; ordinances respecting meats, 
drinks, holy day, new moons, and Sabbath days so called. The 
Christian rest is not referred to in these passages. Those cere- 
monial days were not to be observed until Israel should be set- 
tled in Canaan. The weekly Sabbath they were then bound to 
observe. They were called solemn feasts, set feasts ; all of which 
were typical, and to be done away when Christ should finish the 
work of redemption. Then, Jew and G-entile, when this parti- 



NEW TESTAMENT VIEW. 



205 



tion wall should be broken down, must look to the moral law 
and the gospel of Jesus Christ as their guide, and keep only the 
Sabbath given to man in Eden. They were no longer to offer 
up sacrifices for sin, but accept of the sacrifice Christ offered once 
for all. 

Sabbath and New Moons were not the same thing. Neither 
do Sabbaths, mentioned in this connection, often, if ever, mean 
the original institution — the fourth commandment. 



1st Chron. 
2d Chron. 



Isa. 

2d Kings 

Isa. 

Amos 

Ezra 

Neh. 

Ezek. 



xxiii. 31. 

ii. 4. 

viii. 13. 

xxxi. 3. 

i. 13, 14. 

iv. 23. 

23. 

5. 

5. 

33. 



Sab. and N. Moons. 



Ixvi. 

viii. 

iii. 

X. 

xlv. 17. 

xlvi. 3. 

ii. 11. 



Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 



Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 



N. Moons and Set Feasts. 
N. Moons and Sabbath. 
N. M. and Feasts and Sab. 
Do. Do. and Sabbaths. 
Hosea ii. 11. Feast days, N. Moons and 

Sabbaths, &c. 
Compare the above with Col, ii. 16, 17. 
If the Sabbath days in Colossians mean the institution spoken 
of in the fourth commandment, then it would seem that all the 
other days called Sabbaths might still be required to be observed. 
But this cannot be, because the apostles and disciples had long kept 
the Rest, which G-od had ordained at the beginning, on the Lord's 
day. If the apostle mtended to include the Jewish Sabbath, as 
well as these ceremonial feast-days, or if he referred to the Jew- 
ish exclusively, which was then really done away, still he could 
not allude to the original institution, which was at that time 
transferred to the Lord's day, or first dfty of the week. 

Holy Day. It will be evident from the following passages, 
that when holy days are spoken of, they do not necessarily nin^iii 
the Sabbaths, or Sabbath ; but that there were days to which 
this appellation was properly applied, and which distinguished 
them from all those days. " Holy day," standing independently, as 
18 



206 THE SABBATH. 

it does in Col. ii. 16, and Neh. viii. 9 — 11, does not, it is believed, 
ever mean the weekly rest. The words holy and holy day are 
frequently used in connection with the weekly Sabbath, as well 
as ceremonial Sabbaths and other festivals ; but in all these in- 
stances it is easy to determine, whether the writer is speaking of 
the original institution^ or of some of the ceremonial days : See 
Neh. viii. 9, 11. This is the first day of the seventh month, as 
may be seen in the second verse of this chapter. (See Doolittle's 
extract on Feasts, already quoted.) Neh. x. 31 : " On the Sab- 
bath, or on the holy day." Ps. xlii. 4: "Multitude that kept 
holy day," perhaps applied to all days of convocation. Isa. Iviii. 
13 : " Holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight." 

In this last passage Isaiah evidently refers to the original in- 
stitution. The Jews could not misunderstand the sacred writers 
when speaking of their days of rest, nor need we. The weekly 
rest is always so referred to as to distinguish it from the ceremo- 
nial rests. The command to observe the former was written by 
a different hand, kept in a different place, and considered, in 
many respects, far more sacred than the latter. And those who 
lived immediately after Christ did not misunderstand allusions 
to these different institutions. They all understood Sahhath^ 
when used alone, to refer to the seventh day, or Jewish rest, and 
never the first day ; but when used in connection with new 
moons, &c. to refer to their ceremonial days. When the Chris- 
tian rest was mentioned, it was always during a few of the first 
centuries, called the Lord's day. Nor was it till after the dis- 
putes between the Jewish and G-entile converts had mainly sub- 
sided, and civil rulers had required the observance of the Lord's 
day, and forbidden the keeping of the seventh, that the term 
Sahhath was applied to the first day of the week. During all 
this time, the word Sunday may have been used by many, to 
designate some of the heathen holy days. In modern times it is 
often used by some as synonymous with Sabbath, or Lord's day. 

Objection V. — " There is no Evidence that the Day was 
CHANGED," or that the early Christians observed the first day. 

When the objector is pressed with the evidence, that the Sab- 
bath was designed for all men in all time, he sometimes meets 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 207 

US with another objection. The fourth commandment, on which 
so much stress is laid, says, " The seventh day is the Sabbath." 
Now you do not keep that day, but the first, and you have no 
authority for the change. The attempt is even made to show 
that the apostles and early Christians did not keep the first day 
of the week as a Sabbath. We answer, that there is abundant 
evidence, from the example of early Christians, and from the 
authority of the Fathers, that the first day is to be observed in- 
stead of the seventh. 

In support of the above allegation, Constantine is quoted, 
as saying, " Let all the judges and townspeople, and those who 
follow the occupation of trades, rest on the venerable day of the 
Sun ; but let all those who follow agriculture, carefully attend 
to their business ; because it often happens that no day is so 
favorable to sowing corn and planting vines, lest thereby the 
precious fruits of the earth be slipped." Very conclusive, indeed, 
that the Sabbath was not observed when this edict was passed ! ! 
For objectors will have it, that the Jewish was done away at the 
death of Christ, by special direction ; and they intend to prove, 
by this quotation, that there was, at that time, no Christian 
Sabbath : so that the conclusion must be, that none at all was 
then observed, than which nothing can be more false. 

If this quotation is correct, it will be seen that Constantine 
thought it necessary for certain classes of his subjects to keep a 
Sabbath, though others in certain seasons might labor. To 
infer from this edict, that " no one" thought it sinful to work on 
the Sabbath, or Lord's day, is like a man's concluding, after 
reading reports in favor of Sunday mails, that no man in this 
nation was against them. One would be proved as " conclu- 
sively" as the other. 

When Constantine was converted, about a. d. 325, it should 
be remembered that the Jewish Sabbath was not wholly done 
away. It is believed by some that the Christian church was 
returning to the observance of it, as a Sabbath, to the neglect of 
the first day, and that Constantine, while he commanded the 
observance of the first, may have done the same also with re- 
spect to the observance of the seventh day. It is well known, 
that while the converts to Christianity, after the resurrection 



208 THE SABBATH. 

of Christ, generally observed the first day only as a Sabbath, 
many of the Jewish, and perhaps some of the Gentile converts, 
observed also the seventh. This doubtless led to the various 
edicts, and the teachings of the Apostles, in relation to this sub- 
ject. Many of the Jewish converts were tenacious, that their 
rites and ceremonies should be engrafted upon the Christian 
system. The Apostles and others opposed it. We are told 
that some of the spurious authors of the fourth century required 
the observance of both days. But during the first three centu- 
ries, there was much unanimity in the minds of the ancient Fa- 
thers and their immediate successors, relative to the day to be 
observed ; which, as will be shown, was the Lord's day. Facts 
prove that the change from the seventh to the first day, was 
gradual. 

The Apostles allowed the Jewish converts to continue to 
keep the seventh day when first converted, if they chose to do 
so, training them to observe only the Lord's day, by little and 
little. But, suppose Constantine, in this edict, did give his 
views fully on the sacredness of this institution, that is no proof 
that they were correct, for he was then but a child in Christian 
knowledge. 

But " EusEBiTJs, in his life of Constantine, assures us, that when 
the emperor embraced Christianity, he appointed that the Lord's 
day should be consecrated to prayer ; and commanded through 
all the Roman empire, that they should forbear to labor or do 
any work on the Lord's day." If Christians at this time were 
inclinuig to the Jewish Sabbath, or to keep loth^ we can readily 
understand the propriety, as well as the necessity, of these edicts. 
Eusebius was elected Bishop of Caesarea, about the year 313. 
He wrote an ecclesiastical history from the days of Christ down 
to 324, and must have known the general practice. 

Dr. Cave says, " No sooner was Constantine come over to 
the Church, but his principal care was about the Lord's day ; 
he commanded it to be solemnly observed, and that by all per- 
sons whatsoever ; he made it a day of rest, that men might have 
nothing to do but to worship God, and be better instructed in 
the Christian faith." 

But whether the objector's quotation is or is not correct, there 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 209 

is no discrepancy in Constantine's testimony. For, at the time 
when he gave the edicts last quoted, he might have had more 
correct views of the nature and design of the institution, than 
when he wrote the first. Both show that the first day of the 
week was considered by most of his people, and by himself, as 
the Sabbath ; and though he might not have carefully conformed 
to his duty in the first place, it was not long before he did. 

The Emperor Leo has been quoted, to prove that the early 
Christians kept no Sabbath. Hear what is considered " conclu- 
sive evidence," from his pen, as quoted by the enemies of that 
day. " We ordain, &c., that neither husbandmen, nor any others 
on that day, put their hands to unlawful work." How illogical 
must be that mind, which can, from such data, say that the 
early Christians kept no Sabbath. With equal propriety might 
it be said, that, because the people of our new territories, when 
they become independent bodies, enact laws, prohibiting' theft, 
gambling, and the like ; therefore^ it is certain that all the in- 
habitants in such territories, previous to the enactment of these 
laws, were thieves and gamblers ! ! But Leo says, unlawful work ; 
showing that hefore this edict, there was some work, which it 
would be unlawful to do on that day. 

" In France and Hungary, as early as the sixth century, laws 
were made against Sabbath profanation. Charlemagne, son of 
Pepin, convoked the clergy to make canons for the keeping of 
the Sabbath, and also publishing his own royal edict, of which 
the following is an extract." 

" We ordain (as is required in the law of God,) that no man 
do any servile work on the Lord's day, i. e., that they employ 
not themselves in the works of husbandry, in dressing their vines, 
plowing their ground, making hay, felling trees, digging in 
the mines, or building houses ; that they do not go a hunting in 
the fields, or plead in courts of justice ; but that they all come 
to church and magnify the Lord their God, for those good 
things, which are this day to be bestowed upon them." "As 
is required in the law of God." It seems that people in the 
sixth century, believed that the law of God required men to 
keep the Lord's day. 

Had the objectors seen this extract, they would probably have 
18# 



210 THE SABBATH. 

quoted it also, to prove that before this edict was passed, no one 
observed a Sabbath. 

We understand the Emperor Leo, about 440, to say, " It is 
our will and pleasure, that the holy day^ dedicated to the Most 
High God, should not be spent in sensual recreations, or other- 
wise profaned by suits of law." Speaking of farmers, in rela- 
tion to this subject, he says : " As to the pretence, that by this 
rest, an opportunity may be lost, [of securing crops,] this is a 
poor reason, considering that the fruits of the earth do not de- 
pend so much on the diligence and pains of men, as on the effi- 
cacy of the sun and the blessing of God. We command there- 
fore all, Tvhether husbandmen or others, to forbear work on this 
day of the resurrection. For if other people (meaning the Jews) 
keep the shadow of this day in a solemn rest from all secular 
labor, on the Sabbath [the seventh day] how much rather ought 
we to observe the substance^ a day so ennobled by our gracious 
Lord, who saved us from destruction." Again, Leo thus ex- 
presses the sentiment of the whole Christian church : — " We 
ordain, according to the true meaning of the Holy Ghost, and of 
the apostles thereby directed, that on the sacred day wherein 
our own integrity was restored, all do rest and cease from labor ; 
that neither husbandmen nor any other on that day, put their 
hand to forbidden work. For if the Jews did so much reverence 
their Sabbaths which were but a shadow of ours, are not we 
who inhabit the light and truth of grace, bound to honor that 
day which the Lord himself has honored, and hath therein de- 
livered us from dishonor and from death ? Are we not boimd 
to keep it singular and inviolable, well contenting ourselves with 
so liberal a grant of the rest, and not encroaching upon that one 
day which God hath chosen for his own honor ? Were it not 
reckless neglect of religion to make that very day common, and 
to think we may do with it as with the rest ?" 

From these edicts, it is perfectly evident, that instead of there 
being no Sabbath observed, by any of the subjects of Leo at 
that time, one was known and observed, if not two — the Jewish 
and the Christian; and he was desirous to make Christians give 
up the practice of keeping the seventh day. Though some did 
pretend, as at the present time, that those who rested on the 



i 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 211 

Sabbath, would lose property by it, he did not think it a good 
reason why it should not be kept. Doubtless, at that time, as 
in the days of Constantine, there were many who did not ob- 
serve the Lord's day ; but would either keep the Jewish Sabbath, 
or none at all ; the latter, from the language of the edict, being 
most probable ; and the Emperor therefore commanded that all 
should keep the Lord's day. Had there been no Sabbath ob- 
served by any one, when he gave this command, he would not 
have used the language he did. This evidence of the objectors 
must also be set down for nothing. 

Objectors to the Sabbath quote Justin Martyr, to prove that 
there was not only no Sabbath before Moses, but that the early 
Christians did not observe any. They adduce the following 
quotation, and lay great stress on it, on the ground that he must 
have known the facts on this subject. This is true in regard to 
the practice of the early Christians, but not true as it respects 
the question of a Sabbath before Moses. " There is another 
circumcision, and you (Trypho) think highly of that of the flesh. 
The law would have you keep a perpetual Sabbath ; but you, 
when you have spent one day idle, think you are religious, not 
knowing why it was commanded. But I would have you know 
that as there was no circumcision before Abraham, nor Sabbath, 
or sacrifices before Moses, so are they all done away in Christ. 
Continue as you were created ; do you not see that the elements 
are never idle, or keep a Sabbath ?" 

We have not seen this extract, except as thus quoted by the 
enemies of the Sabbath. If it be a fair quotation, it is not easy 
to reconcile all parts of it, with other things said by that author. 
It makes him contradict himself in regard to the Sabbath, and 
say that which is not true in relation to sacrifices. In one part 
of this quotation, he says, " the law would have you keep a per- 
petual Sabbath." It is well known, that Justin Martyr be- 
lieved that there never was a Sabbath before Moses ; but we 
cannot believe that he ever intended to teach, that primitive 
Christians, and all men since their day, were not bound to keep 
a Sabbath. When Trypho avers, that the Christians differed in 
nothing from the heathen, inasmuch as they " neither observed 
circumcision, the Sabbath, nor the other festivals," it may be said 



212 THE SABBATH. 

he was in part correct, unless Christians at that time called the 
Lord's day Sabbath, which they probably did not. For they did 
not observe circumcision, nor, as a body, the Jewish Sabbath, nor 
their festivals. These were all done away in Christ. But that 
Christians, and Justin Martyr among them, observed the Lord's 
day, most fully appears from his own writings. Hence, what- 
ever he did mean in this quotation, he did not mean to teach 
that Christians, and all men, are not bound to keep the Lord's 
day, as a Sabbath. But neither Justin Martyr, who was edu- 
cated a heathen, nor Martin Luther, nor Calvin, just emerged 
from Popery, nor Paley, all of whom believed the Sabbath an 
institution originating in the Jewish dispensation, can establish 
the positions he has taken on this subject. They must fall be- 
fore unbiased and thorough examination of the subject. 

Some other quotations from the same author will be adduced, 
to show that we have his authority not only for a Sabbath, but 
for observing the first day instead of the seventh. 

Priestly says, " The primitive Christians had no festivals, be- 
side Sunday, on which they always met for public worship, as 
may be inferred from Justin Martyr." He would not call it 
Sabbath, but Sunday ; the day originally kept as a Sabbath. He 
might have called it Lord's day, for the Jewish day of rest, on 
Saturday, was still called Sabbath, and the Christian rest, Lord's 
day, for some centuries after Christ rose. 

Justin Martyr, as quoted by Calmet, observes, " That on the 
Lord's day, all Christians in the city or country meet together, 
because that is the day of our Lord's resurrection ; and then we 
read the writings of the apostles and prophets. This being 
done, the President makes an oration to the assembly, to exhort 
them to imitate and to practice the things they have heard ', then 
we all join in prayer, and after that we celebrate the sacrament. 
Then they who are able and willing give what they think pro- 
per, and what is collected is laid up in the hands of the Presi- 
dent, who distributes it to orphans and widows, and other ne- 
cessitous Christians, as their wants require." 

GuRNEY quotes him still further, and says, Justin Martyr 
" concludes by explaining why this day of the week was chosen 
for their public worship," viz : " We all meet together on the 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 213 

Sunday, because it is the first day^ on which God turned the 
darkness [into light], gave shape to the chaos, and made the 
world ; and on the same day Jesus Christ our Savior rose from 
the dead." 

He moreover says, that " at the close of the first and the be- 
ginning of the second century, on the day called Sunday, is an 
assembly of all who live in the city or country, and the memoirs 
of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read." Jus- 
tin Martyr was converted about the year 130. 

On Romans xiv. 5, " One man esteemeth one day above ano- 
ther, another esteemeth every day alike ; let every man be fully 
persuaded in his own mind," Professor Stuart remarks as 
follows : 

" 1, That the apostle, as appears from the context, is evidently 
contending against those who were imbued with Jewish super- 
stitions, and with zeal for the continued observance of the Mosaic 
law. In the epistle to the Romans, this is perfectly clear ; inas- 
much as the context is occupied with the dispute respecting the 
use of meats, &c. In the epistle to the Colossians it is equally 
clear ; inasmuch as the things enumerated in the very verse in 
question, are things which pertain to the ritual of the Mosaic law. 
The nature of the days mentioned, then, is to be judged of in a 
manner that is accordant with the fact just stated. 

" 2. In the apostolic age, there prevailed a distinction between 
the name of the^r^^ day of the week and of the seventh ; the 
Lord's day (rjjx^^a KvpiaKii) ; the latter Sabbath {cdp/Sarov), So 
we have it in Rev. i. 10. ' I was in the Spirit on the Lord^s day.^ 
So Ignatius (Epist. ad Magnes, about A. D. 101) calls the first 
day of the week, the Lord^s day {rhv KvpiuKriv), the day consecrate 
ed to the resurrection^ the queen and prince of all days. And 
again, in the same espistle : * Let every friend of Christ celebrate 
the Lord^s day (rnv KvptaKrip).'^ That all the later Christian Fa- 
thers made the distinction just mentioned, need not be proved to 
any one acquainted in any tolerable degree with the ancient 
writers of the Christian church. ' It was called the Lord's day, 
because the Lord arose from the dead on this day,' says Chry- 
sostom (and very truly) in his Commentary on Ps. CXIX. It 
was not until the party in the Christian church had become ex- 



214 THE SABEATH. 

tinct, or nearly so, who pleaded for the observance of the sev- 
enth day or Jewish Sabbath, as well as of the Lord's day, that 
the name Sahhath began to be given to the first day of the 
week. 

" 3. In the ancient church, even from the first, there was a par- 
ty who kept the seventh day of the week (i. e. the Jewish Sab- 
bath), as well as the^r5^. Nothing could be more natural than 
for the Judaizing Christians to insist upon this ; for as they were 
unwilling to remit even any of the less important prescriptions 
of the ritual law, how much more would they hold to the sa- 
credness of the Jewish Sabbath ? Theodoret (Haeret. Fab. II. 
1.), speaking of the Ebionites, i. e. a party of the Judaizing 
Christians, says : ' They keep the Sahhath according to the Jew- 
ish Law, and sanctify the Lord's day in like manner as we do.^ 
This gives a good historical view of the state of things, in the 
early ages of the church. More or less of seventh day observance 
was practised, at length, in nearly all the Greek and Latin 
churches ; in the former this day was kept as a festival^ in the 
latter as a fast. As superstition increased, matters came at 
length to such a pass, that the Council of Laodicea (about A. I). 
350) were obliged to make a decree, that Christians should not 
refrain from labor on the seventh day or the Sabbath. Their 
words are : * It is not proper for Christians to Judaize, and to 
cease from labor on the Sabbath [seventh day] ; but they ought 
to work on this day ; and to put especial honor (-portjuoivr^?) upon 
the Lordh day, by refraining from labor as Christians. If any 
one be found Judaizing let him be anathematised,' &c. Can. 29. 
See Bingham's Ecc. Antiq. V. p. 286. 

" 4. With such facts in view, nothing is easier than to explain 
the passages above quoted from the epistles of Paul. The zeal- 
ots for the law wished the Jewish Sahhath to be observed, as well 
as the Lord'^s day ; for about the latter, there appears never to 
have been any question among any class of the early Christians, 
so far as I have been able to discover. Even the Ebionites, as 
we have seen, kept the Lord^s day. But Paul did not believe 
that Christians were hound to observe the Jewish Sabbath. 
Still he did not wish those to be contradicted, who were zealous 
for this usage. ' Let each one be fully persuaded in his own 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 215 

mind,' said he ; i. e. ' Let each one act, in this respect, as his 
own conscience shall judge best. I do not forbid to keep the 
seventh day : nor can I enjoin upon him to keep it.' 

" That the early Christians never understood Paul as renouncing 
the observance of the Christian Sabbath, is sufficiently manifest 
from the fact, that one and all of them held the first day of the 
week to be sacred. As Lord^s day was the universal appellation 
of this, in the early ages, so there was no danger of their misap- 
prehending Paul, (as many in modern times have done), when 
he spoke of the Sahhaths^ which are a shadow of things to come. 
Indeed this last expression shews that Jewish Sabbaths must 
have been meant : for the things to come are those things which 
belong to the gospel dispensation, i. e. the things yet future, while 
the observance of the ritual law was in full force. See He- 
brews X. 1. 

" These considerations make it plain, how much the two texts 
in question have been misinterpreted, when they have been ex- 
plained as meaning, that under the Christian dispensation the 
Sabbath is a matter of indifference, which is wholly left to the 
private judgment of each individual. That such was the case 
in regard to the Jewish or seventh-day Sahhath^ is indeed very 
clear. Moreover, because Paul did not expressly decide against 
the keeping of this, the practice of it was continued by the Chris- 
tians, who were jealous for the honor of the Mosaic law, and 
finally became, as we have seen, predominant throughout Chris- 
tendom. It was supposed, at length, that the fourth command- 
ment, did require the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, (not 
merely a seventh part of time) ; and, reasoning as Christians of 
the present day are wont to do, viz. that all which belonged to 
the ten commandments was immutable and perpetual, the 
churches in general came gradually to regard the seventh-day 
Sabbath as altogether sacred. But amidst all this mistaken 
reasoning and usage, which (as we have seen) the Council of 
Laodicea felt themselves bound to correct, I find no traces of a 
doubt raised, whether the Lord^s day^ i. e. the first day of the 
week, was to be kept sacred. The testimony of Pliny in A. D. 
107, that * Christians [as those whom he examined declared] 
were accustomed to meet together stato die, on a stated day;^ 



216 THE SABBATH. 

the testimony of Ignatius ( A. D. 101), above cited, viz, that ' the 
first day of the week was the Lord^s day, resurrection-day [hvaa- 
rdaiixov), the quccu and prince of all days;' and also his exhor- 
tation, ' Let every friend of Christ celehrate the Lord^s day^ 

{kopra^erco Trds (f)i\6^pi(TT0S Tf]v KvpiaKriv^ SC. rjixepav) ', added tO that 01 

John, that * he was in the Spirit on the Lord^s day^ and to that 
of the epistle of Barnabas (which belongs to the apostolic age), 
viz. that Christians * keep the eighth day [i. e, the first day of 
theVeek] as ^joyful holy day f these testimonies confirm beyond 
all reasonable doubt the fact, that the observance, and the spe- 
cial religious observance, of the Lord's day was practised by 
Christians, and by all of every sect and name, from the very age 
of the apostles. Nothing can be more erroneous than to repre- 
sent the ancient church as halting or divided about the observ- 
ance of the resurrection- day, i. e. the first day of the week. It 
was about the seventh day or Jewish Sabbath, that all the dis- 
putes arose which were of a sabbatical nature." 

In this extract from Professor Stuart, we have the testimony 
of Barnabas, the fellow-laborer of Paul, and that of Ignatius, the 
companion of John. Now, did not Ignatius know, whether the 
Apostle John, who " was in the Spirit on the Lord's day," and 
the rest of the Apostles, kept that day as a Sabbath ? This was 
sixty or seventy years after the resurrection, that the first day of 
the week was called " the Lord's day," evidently attaching to 
it the sacredness of the Christian Sabbath or rest. Surely Igna- 
tius must have known, and there cannot be the least shadow of 
doubt, that the primitive Christians, though for a time they may 
have kept both the Jewish and the Christian Sabbaths, gradu- 
ally gave up the former, and all came at length to the exclusive 
observance of the latter. 

In the extract from Professor Stuart, we have also the canon 
adopted by the Synod of Laodicea, about the year 350. From 
this canon, it appears, that some who embraced Christianity in 
that age, preferred to keep both the Jewish and the Christian 
Sabbath ; but no where does it appear, that any of the new con- 
verts believed that Christ had abolished the institution, for all 
Christians kept the Lord's day, though all did not keep both. 
Those who kept the Lord's day, or most of them, probably sup- 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 217 

posed, as a matter of course, that when the wall of partition be- 
tween the Jews and Gentiles was broken down, all were to re- 
vert to the original, or first day, as the Sabbath ; and that the 
Jewish, or seventh-day Sabbath, ceased without any direct com- 
mand. It had been given for a particular purpose, which was 
now accomplished, for there was no longer any necessity that 
the Jews should be kept a distinct people. But all were not of 
this opinion, hence the necessity of this canon, that Christians 
should no longer, any of them^ keep the seventh-day Sabbath, 
but still, as before, prefer the Lord's day, and keep only that. 

We shall add a further quotation from Pliny, who lived about 
A. D. 107. In his celebrated letter to Trajan, he says of Chris- 
tians, " They are accustomed to meet on a stated day, before 
light, and to sing among themselves hymns to Christ, as to God." 
Indeed, the celebration of the Lord's day by Christians, was so 
notorious even to the heathen themselves, that the question was 
always put to the martyrs, ' Dominicum servasti .^' * Do you 
keep the Lord's day ?' Their answer was equally well known; 
they all aver it ; 'I am a Christian — I cannot omit it.' " 

Theophilus, Bishop of Antioch, A.D. 160, says, " Both custom 
and reason challenge from us that we should honor the Lord's 
day, seeing on that day it was that our Lord Jesus Christ com- 
pleted his resurrection from the dead." See Gurney on the 
Sabbath, pp. 76-84, Am. ed. We refer the reader also particu- 
larly to his history of the manner in which the first day of the 
week was kept, from the morning Christ arose until after the 
day of Pentecost. 

Irjeneus, a disciple of Poly carp, A. D. 167, who had been a 
disciple of John himself, says, " On the Lord's day, every one of 
us Chrirtians keeps the Sabbath, meditating on the law, and re- 
joicing in the works of God." Again, "Each of us spends the 
Sabbath in a spiritual manner, meditating on the law of God 
with delight, and contemplating his workmanship with admira- 
tion." 

DioNYSius, Bishop of Corinth, A. D. 170, and contemporary 
with Irseneus, in his second letter to the church of Rome, says, 
" To-day we celebrate the Lord's day, when we read your epis- 
tle to us." 

19 



218 THE SABBATH, 

Tertullian, a. D. 192, asserts the Lord's day to be " the holy 
day of the Christian church assemblies and holy worship — and 
that ' every eighth day is the Christian's festival,' kept as a day 
of rejoicing." 

Origen, a. D. 230, gives similar testimony to that quoted from 
Priestly and Calmet respecting Justin Martyr. 

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, A. D. 250, takes no notice of 
the old Sabbath, but repeatedly alludes to the Lord's day, as 
that which was kept holy among Christians. 

EusEBius, A. D. 311, informs us, that from the beginning, the 
Christians assembled on the first day of the week, called by 
them the Lord's day, for the purpose of religious worship, to 
read the Scriptures, and to preach and to celebrate the Lord's 
Supper. 

Professor Stuart says, " The important testimony of Eu- 
sebius, (fl. 320,) in the time of Constantine, has been unaccount- 
ably overlooked, by all the patristical investigators whom I 
have yet been able to consult. It is contained in his commen- 
tary on the Psalms, which is printed in Montfaucon's Collectio 
Nova Patrum — and some of it is exceedingly to our purpose, and 
withal very explicit. 

" In commenting on Ps. xxi. 30 (xxii. 29 in our English version), 
he says : ' On each day of our Savior's resurrection [^. e. every 
first day of the week], which is called Lord^s day^ we may see 
those who partake of the consecrated food, and that body [of 
Christ] which has a saving efficacy, after the eating of it, bowing 
down to him.' pp. 85, 86. 

" Again, on Ps. xlv. 6, (xlvi. 5,) he says : ' I think that he [the 
Psalmist] describes the morning assemblies, in which we are ac- 
customed to convene throughout the world,'' p. 195. 

" On Psalm Iviii. 17 (lix. 16) he says : ' By this is propheti- 
cally signified, the service which is performed very early, and 
every morning of the resurrection day [z. e. the first day of the 
week], throughout the whole world.' p. 272. 

" But by far the most important passage of all remains to be 
adduced. It is in his commentary on Ps. xci. (xcii.), which is 
entitled '-A psalm or song for the Sahhath day,'' He begins his 
commentary by stating, that the patriarchs had not the legal 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 219 

Jewish Sabbath ; but still, ' given to the contemplation of divine 
things, and meditating day and night upon the divine word, they 
spent holy Sabbaths, which were acceptable to God.' Then, 
observing that the Psalm before him has reference to a Sabbath, 
he refers it to the Lord^s day, and says that ' it exhorts to those 
things which are to be done on resurrection-day.' He then 
states the precept respecting the Sabbath, as addressed origi- 
nally to the Jews, and that they often violated it. After which 
he thus proceeds : ' Wherefore, as they rejected it [the sabbati- 
cal command], the Word [Christ], by the New Covenant, trans- 
lated AND TRANSFERRED THE FEAST OF THE SaBBATH tO the morU' 

ing light, and gave us the symbol of true rest, viz. the saving 
Lord's day, the first [day] of the light, in which the Savior of 
the world, after all his labors among men, obtained the victory 
over death, and passed the portals of heaven, having achieved a 
work superior to the six- days' creation.' . . .'On this day, which 
is the first [day] of light and of the true Sun vje assemble, after 
an interval of six days, and celebrate holy and spiritual Sab- 
baths, even all nations redeemed by him throughout the ivorld, and 
do those things according to the spiritual law, which were de- 
creed for the priests to do on the Sabbath; for we make spiritual 
offerings and sacrifices which are called sacrifices of praise and 
rejoicing ! we make incense of a good odor to ascend, as it is said ; 
'Let my prayer come up before thee as incense.' Yea, we 
also present the shew-bread, reviving the remembrance of our 
salvation, the blood of sprinkling, which is of the Lamb of God, 
who taketh away the sins of the world, and which purifies our 
souls. . . . Moreover we are diligent to do zealously, on that day, 
the things enjomed in this Psalm; by word and work making 
confession to the Lord, and singing in the name of the Most 
High. In the morning, also, with the first rising of our light, 
we proclaim the mercy of God toward us ; also his truth by 
night, exhibiting a sober and chaste demeanor ; and all things 
whatsoever that it was duty to do on the Sabbath [Jewish 
seventh day], THESE WE HAVE TRANSFERRED TO THE 
LORD'S DAY, as more appropriately belonging to it, because it 
HAS a precedence, and is first in rank, and more honorable than 
the Jewish Sabbath. For on that day, in making the Avorld, God 



220 THE SABBATH. 

said, Let there be light and there was light; and on the same 
day, the Sun of righteousness arose upon our souls. Where- 
fore IT IS DELIVERED TO US [napaSsSorai, it is handed down by tra- 
dition], THAT WE SHOULD MEET TOGETHER ON THIS DAY; and it is 

ordered that we should do those things announced in this 
Psahn.' 

"After some interval, he speaks again of the title to the 
Psalm, and says, that it does not so much respect the Jewish 
Sabbath, for ' it signifies the Lord's day and the resurrection, 
day, as we have proved in other places.' ' This Scripture teach- 
es, [that we are to spend the Lord's day], in leisure for religious 

exercises {rcov ddayv daKaecov), and IN CESSATION AND VACATION FROM 

ALL BODILY AND MORTAL WORKS, which the Scripture calls Sab' 
hath and rest,^ 

" This testimony is so full, so ample, so express, as to super- 
cede all necessity for comment. It touches both public worship 
and private demeanor. It expressly delares that the usages of 
the Jewish Sabbath (so far as the nature of the case will permit) 
are transferred to the Christian Sabbath ; that Christ himself 
made this transfer ; that Christians are to abstain from all bodily 
labor on the Lord's day ; and that they should honor it above all 
other days, by spiritual offerings and works of piety, 

" Let it be remembered, now, that this testimony comes from 
the ancient historian of the Christian church, who had searched 
more thoroughly into its usages and antiquities, than any other 
man in the early ages. It comes, moreover, from no bigot. Eu- 
sebius was himself a man of an enlightened and vigorous mind, 
and very little influenced by superstition. 

" When all these things are put together, and it is remember- 
ed that he repeatedly asserts the keeping of the Lord's day 
throughout the Christian world, how can any fair-minded man 
well doubt, whether the Christians of old kept this day sacred, 
and kept it so as not only to vie with, but to outdo the Jews, in 
all the spiritual and holy duties of its consecrated hours ? 

" When we are called upon, then, to give reasons why we keep 
the j^r5^ day of the week holy ; our answer is, that we follow the 
example of the apostles and early Christians. We conform to 
a practice, which is in itself reasonable, inasmuch as Christ 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 221 

rose upon this day ; and which was sanctioned, so far as we can 
trace, by all Christians for many centuries. And if we are fur- 
ther asked how we can build the sanctity of the Sabbath on the 
fourth commandment, and yet not keep the seventh day of the 
week, which that enjoins to be kept ; my answer would be, that we 
build on the fourth commandment nothing more, than what may 
be deduced from the fact, that it was a republication of the ori- 
ginal law respecting the Sabbath, which was first sanctioned at 
the beginning of the world, and adapted to all the human race. 
One seventh part of the time^ is the essence of this command. 
The particular day may depend on circumstances, and cannot 
be essential. It is important, however, that Christians should 
be agreed as to the day ; and nothing better than the ancient 
usage of the church can be suggested or adopted. 

"One thing appears altogether certain to my mind, viz., that 
where there is no Sabbath, there will be no Christianity ; and 
where the Sabbath is not strictly kept, fervent piety, like that of 
the primitive age of the church, may be looked for in vain." 

Athanasius, a. D. 326, says, " The Lord transferred the Sab- 
bath to the Lord's day. The emperor Constantine, as soon as he 
embraced the Christian faith, made a law to exempt the Lord's 
day from being judicial." 

" Chrysostom, in the fourth century, in assigning the reasons for 
taking up collections in Christian assemblies, says, "Because 
they did abstain from all works, and the soul was more cheerful 
for the rest of the day." •• 

Augustine, A. D. 360,'* tells us, that " The Lord's day was, by 
the resurrection of Christ declared to CJhristians, and from that 
very time it began to be celebrated as the Christian festival." 

Ambrose, A. D. 380, says, " The Lord's day was sacred, or con- 
secrated by the resurrection of Christ." 

EpiPHANros, in the fourth century, in his sermon upon the day 
of Christ's resurrection, has this expression, " This is the day 
which God blessed and sanctified, because in it he ceased from 
all his labors, which he had perfectly accomplished, the salva- 
tion both of those on earth and those under the earth." 

Pres. Humphrey says, " Of Theodosius, king of the Bavarians, it 
is recorded, that he would not permit his subjects to yoke their 
19^ 



222 THE SABBATH. 

oxen, or make hay, or carry it on the Lord's day." This was in 
the early part of the fifth century. 

Lord Mansfield says, " As early as 517, a canon was made 
to prevent judicial business being done on the Lord's day, or first 
day of the week; that this canon was made a part of the impe- 
rial constitution by Theodosius; re-decreed, or adopted by the 
emperor Carolus, and Ludovicus ; taken into the book of the 
canon law by Gratian, and afterwards confirmed by William 
the Conqueror and Henry the Second^ and so became a part of 
the common law." 

As emperors, kings, statesmen, and jurists became converted 
to the Christian faith, they decreed that the Lord's day, or Chris- 
tian Sabbath, should be kept, instead of the Jewish, and that no 
judicial business should be done on that day, as had been com- 
mon among the Jews and heathen. The Jews kept the seventh 
day, and on the fijst day could attend courts ; but Christians 
would not, unless compelled to do it. When Christian princi- 
pies prevailed, edicts as above were passed, all assuming the ob- 
ligation to observe " the sacred rest,^^ Men who fear God and 
trust in his mercy, are not ashamed to own their obligations to 
give to him one day in seven. All nations and governments 
have been benefited, when they have incorporated into their laws 
the requisition to reverence and keep holy the Sabbath. In Eng- 
land it is a part of the common law. The Constitution of these 
United States recognizes the first day of the week as a Sabbath ; 
as may be seen in Art. L Sect. 7. 

Nothing is clearer to our mind than that, even if there were 
no statutes against Sabbath profanation, the offence would be 
punishable by the common law. For it can be clearly shown, 
that disregard of this institution, brings upon a community as 
many evils as that of any other of the commands. The evil 
consequences may not be as immediate, but are no less certain. 
No community can long prosper, without the sacred influence of 
that day. 

In Mosheim's history, as translated by Maclain, it is stated, 
that in the first century, " All Christians were unanimous in set- 
ting apart the first day of the week, on which the triumphant 
Savior arose from the dead, for the solemn celebration of public 



THE DAY HAS BEEN CHANGED. 223 

worship. This pious custom, which was derived from the ex- 
ample of the church of Jerusalem, was founded upon the express 
appointment of the Apostles, who consecrated that day to the 
same sacred purpose, and was observed universally, throughout 
all the Christian churches, as appears from the united testimony 
of the most credible writers." 

Henry, in his commentary, says, " All Christians unanimously 
observed the Lord's day." It is said that there was little dispute 
about the Christian Sabbath during the first three centuries. The 
whole churcli observed it. 

Many of the authors above quoted were scattered about the 
countries bordering on the Mediterranean, Lybia, Egypt, Pales- 
tine, Bithynia, Gaul, Rome, Greece, Syria, and other places. 

" The Sabbath has been changed," says Brownlee, " from 
the seventh to the first day of the week ; or rather, as we should 
say, it has probably now reverted to that day on which it was 
observed by Adam and the Patriarchs. It is certain that the 
first Sabbath of Adam, though the seventh day of time, was the 
first entire day that he saw, and it is most natural to suppose, 
and there is nothing repugnant to it in Scripture, that he began 
the computation of the days of the week from the first entire 
day that he beheld. ' Thus it may be fairly said, that the Sab- 
bath became in future generations the first day of the week. 
This argument receives additional strength from the following 
historical facts. When the descendants of Adam apostatized 
from the worship of the true God, they substituted in his place 
the sun, that luminary, which, more than all others, strikes the 
minds of savage people with religious awe ; and which there- 
fore all heathens worship. They carried with them indeed, the 
day on which their fathers worshiped; but they worshiped the 
sun. Hence the day was called the Sun's day, in the language 
of the respective nations. Hence, as the learned Selden has 
shown, Sunday, the day observed by the patriarchs as their Sab- 
bath, was the first day of the week, in the nations of the East, 
and is so still. Thus the Sabbath of the patriarchs was the Sun- 
day of the pagans. The Jews alone, of all the Eastern nations, 
seem to have had the day changed. As God altered the begin- 
ning of their year, so he changed the day of their worship from 



224 THE SAEBATH. 

the first to the seventh day, to comport with their deliverance 
on that day from Egypt. Hence the fourth precept, viewed as a 
moral precept, and binding on the church in all ages, is enforced 
by the consideration of God's resting on that day, and sanctifying 
it. But, when it is applied to the particular case of the Jewish 
Church, that precept is enforced by another consideration — 
' the Lord brought thee from Egypt,' &c. 

" When therefore Judaism ceased, the seventh day Sabbath 
naturally ceased with it. And hence considering the divine 
command, that enjoined on Adam and his posterity the keeping 
of the Sabbath to he still in force, (and it never has been repeal- 
ed by God) : it is easy to see, that on the abolition of Judaism, 
the Sabbath reverted from the seventh to the first day of the 
week without the necessity of any additional command on the 
subject. The first man was created the last of living things, 
after the morning of the sixth day : hence the Jewish doctors say, 
man was created in the evening, that is, the beginning of the 
Sabbath." 

Whether Dr. Brownlee's arguments and conclusions relative 
to the reckoning of time from the first day of Adam's existence? 
and its being observed as a Sabbath, and which go to prove that 
we now keep the same day that was originally kept, which is 
most probahle, be correct or not, it should be distinctly under- 
stood that the settlement of this question, in no way aff'ects the 
origin, perpetuity, or existence of the institution. We all agree 
on these points. Whether we keep the very day kept by Adam 
and the Patriarchs, we do not conceive essential, if one seventh 
part of the time be kept holy ; and if all, for convenience sake, 
keep the same time, so far as may be. The inhabitants of Chi- 
na cannot keep the same hours we do, unless they observe ano- 
ther day as the Sabbath. The most conclusive proof that Dr. 
Brownlee is correct is, that when the attention of the Jews was 
turned anew to this institution, they, to distinguish them from 
other nations, and keep them a distinct people, were directed to 
keep another day than that which had been previously observed. 
Hence when the Jewish dispensation was abolished at the death 
of Christ, it was perfectly natural that the Jews should revert 
back to the observance of the original day, and that any new 



DEUT. V. NOT OPPOSED TO EX. XX. 225 

law, touching either the first or the seventh day Sabbath, should 
be wholly unnecessary ; inasmuch as the original law of the 
Sabbath had never been repealed. 

After the explicit, decisive, and concurrent testimony of the 
foregoing extracts, touching the practice of primitive Christians, 
can it be reasonably doubted whether the Christian Sabbath 
was observed, by the Apostolic Fathers and their followers, who 
during the first three centuries, almost uniformly kept the first 
day of the week as the Sabbath, instead of the seventh day, 
though some kept both ? Are not the objectors' assertions, ex- 
tracts, and arguments annihilated by the weight of evidence 
which has been adduced ? 

It is not a new thing to find men publishing assertions with- 
out proof. Those who write to destroy the Sabbath, rather 
than not effect their object, assert many things which need proof 
to gain credence among intelligent readers. Such we consider 
the assertions, that " There is no authority for the Sabbath," — 
" This authority binds only the Jews," — " The law is abrogated," 
— " The early Christians did not understand that they should 
keep it,"—" They did not keep it ;" and " The New Testament 
nowhere, either directly or by inference, teaches men to observe 
a Sabbath," &c. &c. 

But, it is presumed, no one who lays any claim to intelligence 
and candor, will again, after duly considering this subject, assert 
that we have no testimony for the Sabbath. All such declara- 
tions have no foundation in truth. No one should be misled by 
them. 

We have brought forward but few of the Scriptural argu- 
ments, in support of the positions taken, for they are mainly 
before the public, and in as favorable light, as can be desired ; 
and they should be familiar to the minds of all who would bene- 
fit man or glorify God. 

Objection VL — " Deut. V. opposed to Ex. XX." — " The com- 
mand respecting the Sahbath in Ex. xx. , is opposed to that in 
Deut, v., and the latter^ if any ^ should he observed.^^ 

It is said that we ought to take the commandments as recorded 
in Deut. v. for the moral law, instead of those in Ex. xx., because 



226 THE SABBATH. 

Moses says, " These words the Lord spake uato all your assem- 
blies; and he added no more." Thus they endeavor to avoid 
the difficulty of explaining away the reason given in the fourth 
commandment, as contained in Ex. xx., why the Sabbath should 
be kept. But let us see how it is. 

From Ex. xix. it appears that the people were commanded to 
prepare themselves to hear what the Lord was about to say to 
them, that they might believe Moses for ever. The children of 
Israel not only heard the thunderings but saw the lightnings, 
the thick cloud and the smoke; and heard the voice which 
caused them to tremble. The Lord talked with them face to 
face in the mount ; and the people were greatly afraid. They 
heard the commands, and then said to Moses, " Speak thou 
with us," &;c. Accordingly he did, and declared to them the 
ceremonial laws. Under these circumstances, the law was 
given, and written on tables of stone, and carried down the 
mountain, to be delivered to Israel. But the two tables con- 
taining them were broken. 

Now what was done ? In Ex. xxxiv., we learn that the Lord 
said to Moses, " Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first ; 
and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the 
first tables, which thou brakest." Here we have the promise of 
God, that he would write, not only the substance of the com- 
mands, but the words, that were written on the first tables. 
This promise he must have broken, if there was the least va- 
riation in them. 

When the commands were written the second time, no such 
display was made, as in the first instance. Moses went up to 
the mount without ceremony. The people were not summoned 
to attend. While Moses was on the mount, the Lord talked 
with him about the ceremonial law, what he would do for his 
people, &c. ; and it would seem that as soon as Moses had 
reached the place where Grod communed with him, that the 
Lord took charge of the tables ; and after forty days, when he 
had made an end of talking with Moses, God gave him the two 
tables, on which he had written the ten commandments, as he 
had promised, Ex. xxxiv. In all probability, these moral pre- 
cepts were not again recapitidated in the mount. 



DEUT. V. NOT OPPOSED TO EX. XX. 227 

But in Deut. v., it appears that Moses, now the preacher and 
not the lawgiver, called the people together, and said, " Hear, 
Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears," 
not which the Lord speaks or spake, but which I speak. " The 
Lord made a covenant," not makes a covenant, but made, /or^y 
years ago^ at a great distance, in Horeb. " The Lord talked^'' 
not talks ; "I stood between the Lord and you at that time," 
not stand ; that^ not this time ; " for ye were,'^^ not are^ " afraid." 
Now under these circumstances, and just before his death, he 
recapitulates, nearly verbatim, the ten commandments as written 
on the tables, which were then and had long been in the ark. 
Here, in this recapitulation, Moses mentions an additional rea- 
son, " and remember that thou wast a servant in the land of 
Egypt," &:c., which the Lord had previously given, why Israel 
should keep the Sabbath. This reason was applicable to the 
Jews only, hence this only was mentioned ; while the first rea- 
son, viz. " for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, 
the sea, and all that in them is, wherefore" &c., was left out ; 
that being applicable to the whole world. As the law, the ten 
commandments, as G-od wrote them, was given for all men, in 
every age, the reason was given, as in Ex. xx. That reason 
was applicable to Jew and Gentile, while the last reason was 
applicable to the Jew only, and must have been spoken at ano- 
ther time, as was this also, "that thy man-servant and thy 
maid-servant may rest as well as thou." 

" These word," [or similar,] " the Lord spake unto all your 
assemblies in the mount," &c. Now if it be not true, that 
Moses did not intend to repeat the law verbatim, but merely to 
give the substance of it ; but, on the contrary, that the words 
now repeated, were actually engraven on the two tables, instead 
of those recorded in Ex. xx., then it is evident that the two 
statements contradict each other. For though the law, as given 
in Ex. XX., did not contain the additional reason to which we 
have alluded, viz. " that thy man-servant and thy maid-ser- 
vant may rest as well as thou," Moses here in Deut. v. 25, says, 
" the Lord spake these loords unto them in the mount." We 
know he spoke the words written on the first tables to them in 
the mount, but he did not speak these^ for Moses expressly tells 



228 THE SABBATH. 

US, in the commencement of this sermon, that he spake them in 
their ears, and they did not go up the second time into the 
mount. The remainder of this chapter, and the one preceding, 
show conclusively, that this whole transaction was merely a re- 
capitulation of what had long before transpired, and was not 
understood to be the original transaction. 

But it is objected that Moses said, " and he [the Lord] added 
no more," and therefore the reason, " for in six days the Lord 
made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and 
rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath 
day and hallowed it," does not now belong to the command- 
ments. But let the objector know that in Deut. v. 12, Moses 
says, " keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God 
hath commanded thee ;" hath commanded thee, not doth com- 
mand thee. 

Here is all the evidence that is needed, to settle the whole 
question. It is manifest therefore that the Lord did add more^ 
as above written, and that all Moses meant in the expression 
was, " the ten commandments, the sum and substance of which 
I now have given you, is all that the Lord added in your hearing, 
because you became afraid of his terrible majesty, and besought 
me to pray the Lord not to speak any more in your hearing, 
but to speak to me, and you would obey. He then called me 
up into the mount, where he spoke many other things, among 
which was the ceremonial law, which I afterward made known 
to you." Deut. iv. may be read in further proof of this opinion. 

We hope no one will again say, that the commandments, re- 
capitulated by Moses in Deut. v., are the identical ones, verba- 
tim, written on the second two tables of stone, and that those 
recorded in Exodus, do not concern us, and are not the com- 
mands which were on the second tables. 

It is hoped that every candid inquirer after truth, who has 
followed us thus far, is fully satisfied that the positions we have 
attempted to establish, are sustained ; for it is for the benefit of 
such that we are writing. 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 229 

Objection VII. — " This nation acknowledges no religion, 
therefore is no more Christian^ than Jewish^ Mohammedan^ or 
infidel y 

Ever since efforts were made in this country, to procure the 
repeal of the law authorizing and directing Sabbath mails, the 
opposers of that rest have been loud in their assertions, that this 
nation is no more Christian than Jewish, Mohammedan, or infi- 
del, &c. From this sentiment, we beg leave to dissent. It is 
neither just nor safe. 

But, has this nation no religion ? All civil governments, of 
any value to the people over whom they were exercised, have 
been founded on some religion; and every government has been 
wise and salutary in proportion to the wisdom, the truth, and 
the benign influence of the religion upon which it was founded. 

France, in modern days, attempted to re-model her govern- 
ment. She took it from the foundation of Christianity, but 
placed it upon the sand ; on no religious system whatever. This 
was effected by infidels and atheists— enemies of the Sabbath, 
and of the Christian religion ; like our opponents. History is 
full and ample in the records of her fall. The bloody waves of 
anarchy, dashing from boundary to boundary, soon washed away 
this foundation ; but not until many thousands of her best citi- 
zens had been overwhelmed in the awful flood. 

To be ruled by wicked men, in a republican government, is 
unspeakably more to be dreaded, than to be under their control 
in monarchical governments, — just as a hundred devils, each 
having conflicting interests, and let loose upon a community, 
would be worse than one. 

The government of these United States was founded on reli- 
gion, and that religion is neither the Jewish, the Mohammedan, 
the pagan, the deist's, the infldel's, nor the atheist's ; but it is 
ihe Christian religion. The proof will be given hereafter. The 
genius of the government which we wished to form, required 
just such a religion as the Christian religion; and no other 
could aid, either in the formation or maintenance of it. When 
formed, its success was to depend wholly upon the existence and 
predominance of its pure, holy, ennobling, and felicitating in- 
20 



230 THE SABBATH. 

fluences. In proportion as this influence should be counteracted, 
would the foundation of this government be undermined. Hence 
the necessity of doing nothing, nationally^ contrary to this reli- 
gion ; but everything which would be calculated to insure the 
perpetuity of this holy alliance. Because, were we to abolish 
this religion, or suffer its influence to be weakened, it would de- 
stroy the government which was founded upon it, and untie 
every ligament which holds the community together. The 
government which the United States desired to construct was, 
in many of its features, new. Those who met to settle its prin- 
ciples, and organize it, it seems, from the history of the trans- 
action, were men who felt their responsibilities, and their need 
of divine guidance. They felt the need of wisdom from the 
Christian's God; and were not ashamed to acknowledge this, 
and ask for it. The Christian religion, therefore, was the very 
thing they wanted. They were not afraid of it. It was their 
best friend, yea, the only friend on which they could safely rely. 

At the time of the organization of this government, there 
were probably a few Jews in this nation. Whether there were 
any Mohammedans or pagans within the limits which composed 
the Union, is not material to our argument. There were a few 
infidels and deists. Suppose, in this crisis, a Jew had arisen in 
the Convention, and objected to the first article in the seventh 
section of the Constitution, because it recognized the Christian, 
instead of the Jewish Sabbath ; and also, dated from the " year 
of 0U7 Lord.''^ What would have been the answer? Surely, 
with the greatest unanimity, the response would have been : 
" We have chosen to pattern after the Christian., instead of the 
Jewish religion." 

Suppose, again, a Mohammedan or Pagan had arisen, and 
objected to prayers being offered to Almighty God ; to publish- 
ing and distributing the Bible, and to the requisition of oaths in 
courts of justice : what answer would have been given ? With 
equal unanimity would the response have been, " With your 
religion for our model, we could never form such a government 
as is contemplated, much less could we sustain it. We must 
have the benign aid of the Christiaji religion, or we can never 
have a republican government." Suppose, again, an infidel, a 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 231 

deist, or an atheist of the modern school, had arisen, and objected 
to all allusion to the Bible, or the Christian institutions, and even 
to the acknowledgment of a Supreme Being, asserting that this 
nation should recognize no religion ; what would have been the 
answer in this case ? Doubtless, it would have been — Sirs, you 
must be the enemies of the government we would establish. To 
form it without a Protector and Supporter, and to leave it to the 
uncertain freaks of popular caprice, would be bringing it into 
existence without a possihility that that existence could be either 
beneficial or prolonged. The government could not have been 
formed on their plan. That Convention, if they had complied 
with the wishes of these men, could never have framed such a 
government as the people wanted. 

But a Sabbatarian rises and says — I believe in the Christian 
religion, and go all lengths with you in the thing you want, and 
in the methods of obtaining it, except one. I want the first arti- 
cle in the seventh section of the Constitution so altered, that it 
will recognize the seventh, instead of the first-day Sabbath. 
What would have been the reply in this case ? Doubtless it 
would have been — We do not sit here to settle controversies be- 
tween the different sects of the Christian religion, liwe should 
comply with your wishes, the people would not. They call for 
the first-day Sabbath, and they must have it. It may be your 
misfortune to be in the minority in this particular. If it be m- 
toleraUe^ YOU. mnst go where the objection does not exist; or 
stay among us, submitting to the will of the people. 

But the government is formed, and these classes have accu- 
mulated upon our hands. Now, says the objector, shall we 
make laws forbidding the Jew, the Mohammedan, the infidel, 
the deist, the atheist, to express their sentiments, and to state 
their reasons for these sentiments ? Surely not, any more than 
we did at first. 

But the laws already adopted by the different States, and the 
Constitution of the United States, interfere more or less with the 
practice of all these religions. A man may not sacrifice himself 
to an imaginary deity. He may not take the name of God in 
vain. He may not commit infanticide. He may not break the 
Sabbath. He may not take away the life of an aged parent, 



232 THE SABBATH. 

because he is aged. He may not suffer self-immolation. He 
may not have many wives. He may not worship many gods. 
He may not commit any of the unrighteous acts of Mohamme- 
dans. He may not ridicule and despise the Christian's Bible and 
the Christian's God — because the doing of any of these things, 
and of many others allowed by Jews, Mohammedans, pagans, 
infidels, deists, and atheists, or permitting them to be done, will 
greatly weaken the influence which the Christian religion has 
over the community, and necessarily weaken the pillars of our 
government. We are to-day as much bound to guard this gov- 
ernment against any such encroachments, as our fathers were to 
guard against the admittance of any thing into the Constitution 
which would endanger our safety, or destroy our existence. 
Those who object to a Sabbath and the Christian religion, are 
continually making new and vigorous attempts to get these 
*' objectionable things" out of our Constitution and State laws. 
They would alter the structure of our government. Not daring 
to attempt to strike out the Christian Sabbath at a blow, they 
have enacted a law compelling certain of our citizens, uniformly 
to desecrate its sacred hours. This they knew would ultimate- 
ly, if continued, lead to its total abandonment. Perhaps the 
next attempt will be to do away oaths in courts of justice, &c. 
As one error leads to another, our course now is doT\Tiward. 

" No nation, either ancient or modern, (with the monitory ex- 
ception of revolutionary France,) ever attempted to organize a 
government without recognizing some religion; and no govern- 
ment ever existed in a civilized nation which did not acknow- 
ledge itself bound by the religion of the nation over which it 
presided. In accordance with this principle, every Christian 
nation on the other side of the Atlantic considers Christianity as 
the very foundation of its political institutions. 

" Great Britain, the nation from which we are descended, has 
engrafted her constitution and laws upon it ; and acknowledged 
its authority paramount to all human enactments. In the case 
of the King vs. Walston, (Strange 834,) the Court of King's 
Bench would not suffer it to be debated whether defaming Chris- 
tianity was not an offence punishable at common law : alleging 
that whatever struck at the root of the Christian religion, tended 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 233 

to dissolve civil government. The Court of King's Bench said 
that Christianity was a part of the law of the land. The same 
doctrine was recognized by Lord Kenyon, in July, 1797, in the 
case of the King vs. Williams, for the publication of ' Paineh 
Age of Reason.^ " 

But " our government," we are told, " is free from religious 
tests and religious establishments — and is not bound by one re- 
ligion more than another." " It is truly the happiness and glory 
of our country that it has cast off the intolerance of a bigoted, 
narrow-minded priesthood, as well as the imperious claims of a 
regal master. But it by no means follows that it has so entirely 
repudiated Christianity, that the authority of Jehovah must not 
be acknowledged." We know infidels and deists claim this ; 
and it seems that they would pull this nation down from that 
high eminence upon which Christianity has placed her, rather 
than have it appear that Christianity has had anything to do 
with her elevation. Therefore they ridicule the Christian's God 
and his ordinances, and cry, " Priestcraft and persecution," in 
order to induce weaker minds to reject the Christian religion. 
Thus, by degrees, they endeavor to accomplish the thing at 
which they have long been aiming. But they never will destroy 
the Christian religion. They maybe the means of breaking us 
in pieces. They have already taught the people to contemn God, 
and disregard his claims — and the wicked bear rule. A day of 
darkness and dread is at hand. The nation which hates God, 
God will destroy and cast off. A nation of infidels and deists 
hates God, and we are rapidly becoming such a nation. 

In the proceedings of that body which framed our Constitu- 
tion, and in the several documents relating to our national organ- 
ization, as well as the practice of many of our first Congresses, 
it will appear that this nation, at that time, recognized the God 
of the Bible as the true God, and as their and our God — the 
Christian religion as their and our religion ; and the Christian 
Sabbath as their and our Sabbath. 

There was to be sure no " union of Church and State," as there 

is in some parts of Europe. Let God be praised that there was 

not. If Jews, Mohammedans, pagans, infidels, and deists, chose 

to come among us and enjoy the blessings consequent on an ob- 

20^ 



234 THE SABBATH. 

servance of the Christian religion, rather than to stay among 
their own class, and share the unutterable calamities and degra- 
dation which are universal and indispensable accompaniments 
of their religion, let them come. So long as their actions and 
words did not militate against the Christian religion, and there- 
by endanger our political institutions, their persons and property 
would be protected. And by conforming to our wholesome laws, 
they might become as one of us. 

The laws and the Constitution of this country never contem- 
plated that a Mohammed, a Voltaire, or a Nero, might come 
among us and insist on his right to a change in our laws, to meet 
his case, nor that we are bound to conform to them in opinion 
and practice, and thereby introduce a poison into our bosoms, 
which would inevitably produce national as well as moral death. 

Now we say that those infidels, or others of like sentiment, 
who caused human blood in torrents to flow through the streets 
of France, have no right to come among us and do the deeds 
which infidels perpetrated there ; lecause such acts would una- 
voidably produce the same results in this hitherto happy nation. 
Such sentiments and conduct would destroy us. It is time this 
people knew, that as certainly as we give the infidel and the 
deist the things for which they have long been contending, and 
which they loudly claim as their rights we shall soon become 
an infidel nation— worship the infidel's god, and share the infi- 
del's " glory J^'' 

They now boldly say, " we have a right to profane your Sab- 
baths, because we do not believe in a Sabbath — and the atheist 
has a right to testify in your courts of justice, without swearing 
by your God, because he does not believe in any God — the laws 
of your country to the contrary notwithstanding." We deny the 
position taken by these men. They have no right so to act. 
God never gave them that right; nor should they have it, be- 
cause, by the observance of the Christian Sabbath and the Chris- 
tian religion, our prosperity and our government are to be per- 
petuated, and they cannot be by any other means. Their con- 
duct, in corrupting the nation and bringing the God of the Bible 
into contempt, is against all divine, and should be against all 
human law. The framers of our Constitution and of our laws 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 235 

would never have allowed such conduct. Then away with the 
notion that Jews, Mohammedans, pagans, infidels, deists, and 
atheists have a right to come among us and do the things 
(though agreeable to their religion,) which will assuredly, if 
allowed, overthrow this government! Those who hold such 
notions are not only enemies to the Christian religion, but to 
every civil government under heaven. They are the enemies of 
the human race ,* and it is much to be feared, that they are 
nearly prepared to act over in this country the scenes so shock- 
ing to humanity, which transpired in France not many years 
since. 

These men have already made such advances, that they often 
declare there ought to be no law regulating moral conduct. " If 
a man's religion," say they, " would allow of polygamy, or pro- 
miscuous sexual intercourse, there should be no law forbidding 
it, at any time, or under any circumstances. Or, if a man 
chooses to throw his children into the Ganges — bury his parents 
alive — see wives burn on the funeral pile — worship devils, or 
330,000,000 of gods, he should enjoy the privilege." But we 
deny the claim which is here made. For by such a course they 
not only destroy themselves, but multitudes of others. 

" And as certainly as a nation turns aside from the path, and 
causes the Holy One of Israel to cease from before them ; and 
as certainly as atheism, licentious morals, and the contempt of 
the Sabbath and of the gospel pervade the land, so certainly will 
the same sanguinary scenes be acted over again, which have 
desolated other nations that would not obey God." There is but 
one alternative before us : we must either give up our infidelity 
and deism, and acknowledge the Christian's God as the God of 
this nation, and give him that place which he claims, or he will 
dash us in pieces, " like a potter's vessel." 

RELIGION RECOGNIZED BY THE CONSTITUTION. 

Was the Christian religion common in this country in the days 
when our government was formed? Let Dr. Franklin answer 
the inquiry, as he did in 1751, when he was holding the office 
of Deputy Postmaster-General, and wrote for the information of 
those across the Atlantic, who had asked for it. He says : 



236 THE SABBATH. 

" Serious religion, under its various denominations, is not only 
tolerated, but respected and practiced. Atheism is unknown — 
infidelity rare and secret ; so that persons may live to a great 
age, in this country, without having their piety shocked by meet- 
ing with either an atheist or an infidel." 

No one, it is presumed, will pretend to question the compe- 
tency or the correctness of this witness. He must have known 
the extent of infidelity, certainly^ if one himself, (as our objector 
claims,) and he doubtless spoke the truth. 

In 1787, the National Convention " reported a Constitution 
for a general Government. This Constitution made a regard 
for the existence and attributes of God indispensable in every 
individual whom it entrusted with an office : for it bound them 
by the sanctity of an oath, or solemn affirmation, and assumed 
as its national designation of time, the era of a Being whom it 
was pleased to honor as ' Our Lord ;' and moreover provided a 
Sabbath for the conscience of the President." The Constitution 
then recognized one Supreme Being, Jesus Christ, and the Chris- 
tian Sabbath. What will the infidel, deist, atheist, Jew, Mo- 
hammedan, or pagan say to this ? " Ah ! that Constitution will 
never do — it does not sufficiently recognize my religious rights. 
Though it acknowledges a religion, it does not acknowledge our 
religion, but one which we hate with perfect hatred. It will 
not do^ But the Constitution, the remonstrances of these men 
to the contrary notwithstanding, was adopted. 

Let us see further what religion this nation adopted and cher- 
ished when in her infancy. 

" The Christian religion is founded on, and cherished by, the 
sacred volume, called the Old and New Testaments. Oaths, 
too, were then necessary, and the religious faith of the nation 
is their only bond. Bibles were wanted — the commerce with 
Great Britain * was cut off — and they must be procured from 
some other source. Accordingly a committee of Congress was 
appointed, in 1777, to confer with the printers, with the view of 
striking off an edition of 30,000, at the expense of Congress. 
The committee finding the difficulty of obtaining types and pa- 
per so great, recommended Congress (the use of the Bible being 
so universal, and its importance so great) to direct the commit- 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 237 

tee of commerce to import, at the expense of Congress 20,000 
English Bibles, from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere, into the 
different States of the Union ;' and the Congress ordered the im- 
portation. In 1780, when it was found, from the circumstances 
of the wars, an English Bible could not be imported, and no 
opinion could be formed how long the obstruction might con- 
tinue, the Congress again resumed the consideration of printing 
the Bible, and the matter was referred to a committee of three. 
An individual was found who would undertake the work, and 
in 1782, Congress appointed a committee of three to attend to 
the edition contemplated by Robert Aikin, of Philadelphia. The 
committee ^ having attended to the progress of the work, and 
engaged the assistance of the chaplains of Congress,' — where- 
upon it was ' Resolved, That the United States, in Congress as- 
sembled, highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking, as 
subservient to the interests of religion^ [not Mohammedan, Jewish, 
infidel, deist, or pagan, but the Christian Religion,] and being 
satisfied of the care and accuracy in the execution of the work, 
recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the 
United States.' What intolerance thus to aid in diffusing the 
Bible^ instead of the Koran, or the Shaster, and grieving the con- 
sciences of [infidels,] deists, and atheists." 

What do objectors now think about a majority of the framers 
of the Constitution being anti-christian ? 

We know this is not the same body which framed the Con- 
stitution ; but many of the members of this body were members 
of the Convention. Both bodies possessed a similar spirit. Who 
can now doubt that this nation recognized the Christian religion 
as its religion ; and that those men who framed the Constitution, 
as well as those who helped to administer it for many years, 
believed in and cherished the Christian religion ? 



In 1776, we find the late Governor Livingston obtaining leave 
and presenting a resolution to Congress for a national fast, which 
is in the following words : ^' That it becomes," &c. " Congress, 
therefore, desirous to have people of all ranks and degrees duly 
impressed with a solemn sense of God's superintending provi- 



233 THE SABBATH. 

dence, and of their duty devoutly to rely, in all their lawful enter- 
prises, on his aid and protection, do earnestly recommend that 
Friday, the 17th day of May next, be observed by the said Colo- 
nies, as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer ; that we may, 
by a sincere repentance and amendment of life, through the 
merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon: and if 
our unnatural enemies, continuing deaf to the voice of reason 
and humanity, are inflexibly bent on war, it may please the Lord 
of hosts, the God of armies, to animate our officers and soldiers ; 
earnestly beseeching him to bless our civil rulers and the repre- 
sentatives of the people, preserve and strengthen their union," 
&c. 

" The citizens respectfully received this official communica- 
tion. The Divine Being heard, and, as they thought, blessed 
the government and nation on said day. Congress adjourned^ 
and joined in the solemnities." 

In the same year, Congress recommended another day of fast- 
ing and prayer, in the following words : 

" Whereas, the war is likely to be carried to the greatest ex- 
tremity ; and whereas it becomes all puhlic bodies^ as well as 
private persons, to reverence the providence of God, and look up 
to him as the Supreme Disposer of all events, and the Arbiter of 
the fate of nations," &c. — at the same time " Resolved, That 
Congress be opened every morning at ten o'clock, Sundays ex- 
cepted." 

Surely a nation has nothing to fear from such " anti-christian'''' 
men as formed these two Congresses. 

In February, 1778, another committee was appointed by Con- 
gress to prepare a recommendation to the people of the United 
States, to set apart a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer : 
April 22d was set apart for that purpose. The proclamation 
was more fully and humbly expressed than the former, but 
breathed the same spirit. Congress joined in it. 

Another fast was observed by Congress, on the first Thurday 
of May, 1779, and bore the signature of " John Jay, at that time 
President of Congress." A part of it is as follows : 

" The States are recommended to apply themselves to prayer, 
that God would be pleased to avert impending calamities, that 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 239 

he would grant us his grace to repent of our sins, and amend 
our lives, according to his holy word ; * ^ ^ that he will diffuse 
useful knowledge, and extend the influence of true religion.''^ 

The religion of his " Holy Word," which forbids labor on 
Sunday : not the religion of the infidel, or Jew, or pagan. 

In March, 1780, another committee was appointed for the 
same purpose, and the last Wednesday of April was set apart as 
the day. In 1781, another fast was ordered to be kept on Thurs- 
day, the 3d of May. In 1782, another was observed on the last 
Thursday of April ; and " early in 1783, the Divine Being, whom 
the Congress had so often nationally and officially honored, vouch- 
safed peace to the Union." 

In each of these proclamations for a fast, the spirit of true 
Christianity is breathed, and Congress adjourned to join in sup- 
plications to the Christian's God, for his protection, forgiveness, 
and blessing ; confessing their sins, and humbling themselves on 
account of them. Congress also adjourned to unite in the reli- 
gious services of G-ood Friday. Away with the objector's ca- 
lumny ; it is as base and false as ever was uttered by the " ac- 
cuser of the brethren." What would those Congresses have 
said to a proposition, at that period, to desecrate the holy day of 
God — to give the sanction of the nation to it ? They were good 
men, and the people were blessed. Would that our rulers could 
now be induced to engage in such acts of acknowledgment of 
their dependence on the Christian's God, and manifest such a 
disposition to sustain his laws. 

There is other evidence to show that this nation recognized 
the Christian religion, and that the framers of the Constitution 
were not " anti-christian men." 

THANKSGIVINGS. 

Each year from 1777 to 1783 inclusive, we find Congress ap- 
pointing days for national thanksgiving and prayer, which were 
duly observed. On motion of John Randolph, in 1781, October 
24th, it was " Resolved, That Congress will, at 2 P. M., this 
day, go in procession to the Dutch Lutheran church, and return 
thanks to Almighty God, for" — &c. 

In the proclamation for a day of thanksgiving, we find sen- 



240 THE SABBATH. 

timents of piety expressed in the following and similar lan- 
guage : — 

" That all the people assemble on that day to offer fervent 
supplications to the God of all grace, that he would incline our 
hearts, for the future, to keep all his laws, and that he would 
cause the knowledge of Christianity to spread all over the earth" 

<' above all, to praise him that he hath continued to us the 

light of the Uessed gospel^ and to supplicate him, that he would 
cause pure religion and virtue to flourish." 

It would seem that the wise and patriotic men of those times 
believed that the " blessed gospel," not the Koran, nor the Shas- 
ter, but the Christian system, was better adapted to the wants of 
men than any other system ; and their conduct shows that they 
did not entertain views congenial to the feelings of infidels and 
deists of our day. Had both lived at the same lime, they would 
have been antipodes in sentiment and action. We see no lack 
of proof that the framers of our Constitution, and the men who 
first administered it, were not anti-christian, as our objectors 
would have us believe. It is perfectly evident that these men 
were not ashamed to own their accountability to God, and their 
dependence on him : nor were they ashamed or afraid to recog- 
nize the Christian religion, in their national capacity. They had 
discernment, fidelity, piety, and patriotism enough to prompt 
them to make a wise choice, when they laid down the Christian 
religion as the foundation of this government: instead of the 
Jewish, Mohammedan, pagan, infidel, or deistical religion. God 
be praised for the noble deed. 

But it appears that many of the members of Congress, for the 
last twelve or fifteen years, have been ashamed to acknowledge 
God ; and infidels have united with them to prove that we have 
no Sabbath, and that this nation knows no religion. She may, 
in her riches and pride, have forgotten her religion ; but she 
once had a religion, and that was the Christian, She ought to 
have it still. 

Infidels would have us believe that the Jew, the Mohamme- 
dan, and the pagan, have as much claim to legislation in favor 
of their religion, as Christians have a right to expect that Con- 
gress will not legislate against theirs. But these pleas are all 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 241 

false — a mere subterfuge to rid themselves of all accountability 
to the laws of God and man. 

CHAPLAINS. 

There is one fact more, in connection with this point, from 
which we gather further testimony : 

In 1776, the Congress of the United States, " Resolved, That 
a chaplain be appointed to each regiment in the continental 
army." In 1777, " Resolved, That chaplains be appointed to 
the hospitals." In 1788, Congress " earnestly recommended to 
the States and officers of the army, to discountenance profane- 
ness and vice ;" and solemnly, more than once, resolved that 
•' true religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of 
public liberty and happiness, — solicited Christian ministers to 
preach at the funerals of deceased members." From the com- 
mencement of their sittings, Christian chaplains were appointed 
to open their sessions with prayer, 

STATE LAWS. 

The several States which own canals and railroads, should 
close them on Sunday ; and not corrupt the morals of their citi- 
zens, undermine our government, and sin against God, by per- 
mitting them to be used on that day. Every good citizen ought 
to remonstrate against such a practice. Infidels and deists, al- 
ways ready to carp whenever anything is said or done to cross 
their path of blood, over the bodies and souls of men, have said 
— " Well, then, the Jew who will not work on Saturday, accord* 
ing to that doctrine, should call on the legislatures to make laws 
preventing work on Saturday." It has been clearly shown that 
this nation recognizes the Christian, instead of the Jewish reli- 
gion. Moreover, we have never called on the States to make 
any law whatever, about individual or corporate property, though 
it might be proper to do so. The States should not run boats 
and cars, nor suffer them to be run, on the Lord's day, on their 
canals and railroads, putting the money thus earned into the 
treasury, because we are a Christian nation ; and such an act 
tends to destroy the Christian religion, and our government. 
The same may be said of national property. Neither the States 
21 



242 THE SABBATH. 

nor the nation has a right to commit such a suicidal act. If we 
were an infidel or pagan nation, then, so far as civil law, and 
our religion were concerned, there would be no objection. But 
now they have no such right, civil or divine. By continuing the 
practice, they dishonor God, ruin men, and will, ere long, writhe 
under the displeasure of that Being who has said, " Remember 
the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." 

Infidels say, our States have no right to legislate on religion. 
Our Sabbath laws ought to be repealed. In other words, we 
suppose they would be understood to say, — " If we choose to cor- 
rupt your youth, contaminate your morals, and destroy your re- 
ligion, you have no right to make a law to prevent it, though our 
conduct would assuredly lead to that result. We have thrown off 
the government of God, because we do not believe there is any 
God; and now we would throw off the government of man; be- 
cause we believe man would do better without any government. 
We hate the Christian religion, and we know how it can be de- 
stroyed ; and if you let us alone, it shall be destroyed. You shall 
let us alone, because you have no right to make a law touching 
religion." 

" We would ask, is it rational to suppose that the government 
and nation, in 1776, were not Christian, and knew no religion ? — 
when the United States, in Congress assembled, (though there 
were then Jews, and possibly a few deists,) yet officially pro- 
moted the circulation of the Old and New Testaments, bound 
themselves by the sanctity of an oath, on the Holy Volume ; re- 
joiced, ' above all' in the possession of the Gospel of peace, at- 
tributed all national blessings to Almighty God ; implored, and 
recommended the people to implore, his direction in their coun- 
cils, and his forgiveness of their sins, through the merits of the 
Divine Redeemer ; and measured our national existence by ' the 
year of our Lord:' when they urged the States to cherish ' pure 
and undefiled religion,' which the States never understood to be 
other than the Christian; when they carefully provided and 
paid Christian chaplains, of various denominations, that their 
armies, navies, and hospitals, might be supplied with Christian 
instruction and consolation ; when they reverently waived na- 
tional business on the Sabbath, while a Christian nation was en- 



THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION ADOPTED. 243 

gaged in worshiping the Father of mercies ; and even tenderly- 
accommodated those denominations that would celebrate the 
crucifixion of the Redeemer ? We shall see that the spirit of 
'76, on these subjects, was still alive in the administration of 
Washington. If, therefore, our government is no longer Chris- 
tian, but Jewish, Mohammedan, pagan, or atheistical, it is in- 
cumbent on those who declare it it anti-christian, ' to point out 
when and how the change was introduced.' " Under this head we 
have quoted largely from Logic and Law. 

Before closing the remarks on this point v/e add an extract 
from Rev. Evan Johns. 

" Here, I would ask, are not the representatives of the people, 
with all their magistrates, chosen by the people, bound to de- 
vise and to carry into effect measures to aid them in the pursuit 
of happiness ? Elected for this purpose, are not legislatures in 
duty bound to enact all the laws in their judgment adapted to 
answer the end of their appointment ? Again, are not all our 
laws designed to prevent the ill-disposed from violating the 
rights of our fellow-citizens ? Again, are not indecent exposures 
of human person, as well as other indecencies, punishable by 
law — punishable because injurious to morals ? Are not certain 
things cognizable by law, under the name of nuisances, because 
they are found prejudicial to health ? Is not the disturbance of 
public, social worship, at once a nuisance and an infringement of 
right ? Who will deny, that the rumbling of a long string of 
wagons, the cracking of whips, and the blowing of horns, in 
front of a church, during public worship, is a dreadful nuisance ? 
* ^ =^ Has any person the hardihood to deny that these 
sore evils may be legitimately prevented by laws adapted to the 
nature of each case ? To give an affirmative answer to each of 
these questions, every candid person would feel himself impelled, 
when considering that facts have demonstrated, and, if cited, 
would again show clearly and fully that such is the constitution 
given by divine Providence to man and beasts of labor, as to 
make the rest of the Sabbath indispensable, to secure the great- 
est attainable portion of happiness. Who then will have the 
audacity to say, that the advocates of the Christian Sabbath are 
not authorized in their exertions to have it kept holy by the most 



244 THE SABBATH. 

clearly evident moral principles ; or, which amounts to the same 
thing, by the divine Author of nature." 

But whether the friends or advocates of the Sabbath touch 
this point or not, they " are most shamefully insulted and most 
vilely aspersed, by persons apparently determined to convince 
the world, that the tale of the frog and the ox is not fabulous." 
If public and outward acts of Sabbath desecration are not pro- 
hibited by government in State laws, such a day and such a gov- 
ernment, especially if republican, cannot be sustained. 

See also remarks already made in the Petitions to the twen- 
t}^-fifth Congress, third session, 1837 and 1838, page 76-133. 

Objection VIIL — " Works of public utility may be done on 
Sunday." 

The objector often excuses his violation*of the Sabbath by say- 
ing that the example of Christ justifies works of public utility on 
Sunday. 

In all the examples Christ has given, relative to works, which 
are appropriate to the Sabbath, not one of them, we believe, re- 
lates to works, other than merciful. " Works of necessity and 
mercy," on which so much stress is often laid, is not Bible lan- 
guage. However high its authority, many are led astray by it. 
Christ taught by example and precept, that the sick might be 
healed, a horse might be watered, an animal in the ditch might 
be helped out on the Sabbath. He does not adduce instances of 
wasting grain, mouldering and bleaching hay, carrying the mail 
in " cases of emergency ^''^ traveling on journeys, running of boats, 
rail-cars and stages, &c. &c. None of these. The language of 
the law of the Sabbath is sufficiently explicit to convince the 
plainest man, that to do such works is a breach of that law. 
Christ's words in relation to this subject, were doubtless called 
forth by the over-righteous Scribes and Pharisees. They were 
even opposed to his healing a man whose right hand was with- 
ered. The disease was doubtless considered incurable by man ; 
and Jesus might never again pass that way. Jesus loved mercy, 
not sacrifice. No works which men consider as necessary, aside 
from mercy, were specified ; for by the law man was forbidden to 



WORKS APPROPRIATE TO. 245 

do any work on the Sabbath. '' Six days shalt thou labor and do 
a// thy work." Here is the ^e^iera/ rule. Of all kinds of work, 
works of mercy, mentioned by our Savior, are the exceptions. 
Any one's regular business, can usually be done before the Sab- 
bath, or after it : emergencies can generally be foreseen and pro- 
vided for, so that the loss shall be less, by neglecting it on the 
Sabbath, than by doing it, and breaking a known command of 
God. But the call for works of mercy cannot always be fore- 
seen and guarded against; hence the necessity of relieving suf- 
fering nature, wherever and whenever it may be found. 

A SUPPOSED CASE. 

But, suppose there are Christian brethren who wish to cross 
the E-ocky Mountains to preach the Gospel to the poor Indians ; 
and they need the protection and assistance of the caravans 
which traverse those dangerous and pathless wilds, but which 
do not keep the Sabbath. "The command is, ' Go, preach my 
Gospel to every creature ;' and these men are called to go ; but 
if they go, they must either travel on that day, or expose them- 
selves to be robbed of all their goods, and perish by the hands of 
savages. What shall be done ? Shall they travel on Sunday, or 
stop and die by the hands of the wicked, as in such circumstances 
they undoubtedly would ?" Things are assumed here which are 
not granted. That the Gospel should be preached to all nations, 
and that it is the duty of some persons to go and preach it to the 
Indians, no true friend of man or of God will deny. But who 
the persons are that should go, and how they shall go, is quite 
another thing. The command, to " go, preach," is admitted to 
be imperative, as is also " in it thou shalt not do any work." 
But what is to be done ? Why, the Gospel must be preached, 
and men must go to the field ; and, if there be no other way to 
reach it, but by doing some work on Sunday, such as managing 
a vessel at sea, that comes within the rule which Christ laid 
down, and mercy cries, go, teach the heathen the way to eter- 
nal life. Were we not at liberty to do this, those who dwell in 
the islands of the sea, would live and die in ignorance of the 
way to heaven, and sink to hell. Yet God has said, " The isles 
shall wait for his law." But the case before us is quite diflerent. 
21* 



g46 THE SABBATH. 

No one pretends that it is indispensably necessary that the cara- 
vans should travel on the day of rest. They might safely and 
profitably rest if they would. Admitting then that these breth- 
ren should go, that they must cross the mountains and have the 
protection of a caravan, we still do not make out a justification 
for their traveling on Sunday, for there is a way of safely reach- 
ing that distant land, without violating the fourth command- 
ment. So long as this is the case, it is sin to break the one, in 
order to fulfill the other. It is this : let there be a caravan com- 
posed wholly of missionaries. Their services are greatly needed, 
and there can be no doubt that so large a number should, imme- 
diately be on their way thither. But if this be impracticable in 
the present state of feeling in the church, let a sufficient number 
of men, who would obey God, be hired, to proceed with the 
brethren. Should it be objected, that this would be a great 
waste of money; let it be remembered that the money is the 
Lord's, and the law of the Sabbath is his ; and which is of the 
most value in his sight ? If the money cannot be obtained for 
this object, and it is not safe for the missionaries to go unpro- 
tected, then, is it not clearly their duty to stay and convert the 
heathen among whom the}^ now live, and who are in danger of 
an infinitely deeper perdition than the savages of the Oregon 
Territory ? 

When determining what things are appropriate to be done on 
the Lord's day, and what are not, the following, among other 
things, are to be taken into the account, viz : Does God require 
the thing to be done ? Am I under obligation to do it ? Is this 
the time when it should be done ? Is there no way possible by 
which it can be done, without performing some work on Sun- 
day ? If not, then mercy cries, do it. This brings it within the 
case excepted from the general law. But the want of a caravan 
of missionaries, or money enough to hire one, that would not 
desecrate holy time, would not bring it within the rule. For 
the thing might be done without labor on Sunday ; and, on those 
who withheld the means, and not on the brethren ready to go, 
will fall the responsibility. Many questions relating to this sub- 
ject naturally arise, which, at first view, seem to present insur- 
mountable difficulties, but these all vanish on a full investigation. 



WORKS APPROPRIATE TO. 247 

The question is not, whether a thing can be tetter and cheaper 
done on Sunday than to delay it, or whether, in our judgment, 
greater good would result from such labor ; but does God re- 
quire the thing to be done, & c. as above ? Works of " neces- 
sity," so called, when tried by this standard, (and is it not the 
true one ?) would be reduced to a very small number. 

God is not absurd and unreasonable, requiring his creatures to 
violate one of his commands that they may obey another. Man, 
in his ignorance, may sometimes think the cause of Christ would 
be most advanced, and the greatest good accomplished, by his 
traveling on Sunday. As, for instance, a minister, twenty miles 
from home, who can, Sunday morning, step into a rail-car, boat, 
or stage, and reach home in season to preach to his destitute 
people : or leave home, and travel that distance, less or more, and 
preach to those who otherwise would have no gospel sermon, 
may think this is doing the will of God. But God has required 
no such thing ; for should his law be obeyed, by those directing 
these public conveyances, no boats, cars, or stages, would run on 
Sunday, and of course the minister could not then thus travel. 

Objection IX. — " Christian Rome and Greece were not more 

PROSPEROUS THAN HEATHEN ROME AND GREECE." 

Opposers to Christianity would fain make us believe that our 
religion is not adapted to make men prosperous and happy ; as 
proof, they refer to Rome and Greece, which, till some time 
after the death of the apostles, scarcely deserved the name of 
Christian. 

Would God that every infidel, deist, atheist, and Christian too, 
might this moment see and know all the benefits which heathen 
Greece and Rome derived from the religion of the Bible; and in 
how many, and what respects. Christian Greece and Rome were 
better than the same countries when heathen. But " none are 
so blind as those that will not see." Heathen Greece and Rome, 
for want of the religion and morality of the Bible, failed to per- 
petuate their intelligence and prosperity ; as all other nations, in 
like circumstances, must likewise fail. Besides, who can tell 
how much, of what advancement they did make, these nations 
owed to the influences of revelation ? How much of God and 



248 THE SABBATH. 

the religion of the patriarchs had tradition taught them and their 
ancestors ? For there were some, even in those days, who knew 
and acknowledged the true God. The Greeks, from whom the 
Romans received all their learning, were a colony led from 
Egypt by Cecrops, 1556 years before Christ, and 15 years after 
the birth of Moses. This colony founded the kingdom of Athens, 
in Greece. They must have carried, at least, many traditionary 
notions of the true God with them. The Egyptians knew some- 
thing of him in the days of Abram, as the history of Pharaoh 
and Sarah shows. Egypt was learned. Abram. Isaac, and Ja- 
cob had, each in their turn, visited, and Joseph had long lived in 
Egypt ; and it appears that there had often been pious men in 
that country. No man can tell how much influence the religion 
from heaven had on the progress of Egypt in knowledge, nor 
how much the reflected light of revelation had, m the beginning, 
in raising heathen Greece and Rome to their subsequent eleva- 
tion. They must have heard of God's power, of his judgments 
in famine and his blessings in plenty. Egypt seems early to have 
risen to great perfection in the arts and sciences ; and was a large 
and flourishing kingdom 430 years after the flood. " Moses lived 
more than 1000 years before the age of Herodotus, who is the 
reputed father of Grecian history." The Greek v^riters confess 
that they received the letters of their alphabet from the Phceni- 
cians, (the Canaanites of Scripture,) very soon after the found- 
ing of Athens ; and it is believed that the Phoenicians derived 
the art of writing from the Jews. Porphyry, an equal enemy to 
Jews and Christians, admits that Moses and the prophets, who 
immediately succeeded him, lived " nearly a thousand years be- 
fore any of the Greek philosophers ;" and he was a friend to Gre- 
cian literature. The Jews were placed by God in the very midst 
of the then known and civilized world ; they grew to be a great 
nation ; God's wonderful works were wrought that the heathen 
might know Him ; and history informs us that the name of Jeho- 
vah was thereby spread abroad. Can it be that Greece and 
Rome did not feel this silent influence, that emanated from the 
temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem, and from his works in the land 
of Israel ? Who first instructed Egypt in the arts and sciences, 
and yet kept from her all knowledge of the Supreme Being ? 



TRADITION A.RY KNOWLEDGE. 249 

Egypt was founded by a grandson of Noah, 164 years after the 
flood. In this short period their founder, Mizraim, could not 
hare forgotten the Lord God of his fathers. When, now, were 
all these nations the most prosperous — when they knew most^ 
or leasts about Him who made them ? Doubtless, when they 
knew most about God, and rendered the most perfect obedience 
to his commands. Do infidels and deists contemptuously inquire, 
how could they know any thing about him before the days of 
Moses ? Look at the opportunities of correct information which 
Moses had when he wrote the Pentateuch. It is true that most 
of the knowledge of the true God, at this early age of the 
world, came through the medium of tradition. We shall see 
whether Moses did not receive his information by channels on 
which he might depend with the greatest confidence. 

TRADITIONARY KNOWLEDGE. 

The antediluvian world stood 1656 years. From the death 
of Adam to the flood was 726 years ; and Noah lived 600 of 
these years, leaving but 126 years from the death of Adam to 
Noah. 

" Adam was contemporary with years. 

Lam€ch 56 

Methusaleh . . . . . .243 

Tared . 470 

Mahaleel 535 

Cainan ....... 605 

Enos 695 

Noah was contemporary with 

Lamech 595 

Methusaleh 600 

Jared . 366 

Mahaleel ....... 234 

Cainan 179 

Enos . 84 

Shem was contemporary with 

Lamech 93 

Methusaleh 98 

Noah 448 



250 THE SABBATH. 

After the flood, with 

Abraham 150 

Isaac 50." 

Polyglott Bible. 

We here, at a glance, can see how a history of past events, 
from the creation down to the time of Abraham and Isaac, might 
be preserved and given to posterity. Methusaleh and Lamech 
were, in all probability, well acquainted with Adam. Shem 
might talk with the companions of Adam, and with Abraham 
and Isaac. Lamech lived 93 years with Shem, and 56 with 
Adam. Methusaleh lived 78 with Shem, and 243 with Adam ; 
and Shem lived 150 with Abraham and 50 with Isaac. 

Now, in view of the above facts, would the supposition be im- 
probable, that not only correct but minute accounts of all import- 
ant events as they occurred were handed down by tradition, since 
it might be done through so few, and such individuals as above 
named ? As Noah was 600 years old when the flood came — had 
three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who were married ; and 
Shem at least one hundred years old, it would seem impossible 
that they should be ignorant of what had happened in the old 
world, since all depended, from generation to generation, on tra- 
ditionary knowledge. It is very improbable that after the mi- 
raculous preservation of their lives in the Ark, they would give 
a false history to their descendants of any important events 
which had happened. Noah died 283 years after Heber was 
born. Heber died but 256 years before Moses, or 19 years after 
Jacob was born. Heber, therefore, had opportunity to gain all 
the information his father Shem and his grandfather Noah pos- 
sessed, relative to the two worlds, and to communicate the same 
to Jacob. So from Jacob, his children, called the children of 
Israel, might obtain the same facts and hand them down to 
Moses. At the present day, when the life of man is so short, it 
would be difficult thus to preserve facts in the minds of one gen- 
eration, for the use of another ; but not so difficult in patriarchal 
times. Who can suppose that Noah and Jacob were deceived 
in this matter, or would attempt to palm an untruth upon the 
nations of their day ? 

It was only 256 years from the death of Heber to Moses ; 



TRADITIONARY KNOWLEDGE. 251 

and the law was given to Moses, when he was 81 years old. 
How then could Moses, if he stated facts falsely, make the an- 
cients believe a lie ? After the death of Adam, 126 years inter- 
vened before Noah was born, who died only two years before the 
birth of Abraham. If Moses had then mis-stated the facts of 
the world's history, there would have been many to correct him. 

It is supposed that Noah founded the Chinese monarchy — that 
Ashur^ son of Shem, built Nineveh, capital of the Assyrians — 
that the Jews and Arabians descended from Arphaxed, who also 
was a son of Shem. Babylon was founded by Nimrod, great 
grandson of Noah, in the line of Ham, about 120 years after the 
flood ; and Cush, and the son of Ham, it is said, began the set- 
tlement of Ethiopia. Menes, or Mizraim, in Scripture, another 
son of Ham, it is supposed, founded the kingdom of Egypt, about 
160 years after the flood. 

Canaan, another son of Ham, was the father of the Ca- 
naanites, Sidonians, Tyrians, and Carthaginians. 

Japheth settled the western parts of Asia, and the countries 
of Europe. 

Is it not then more than probable, that, at the time Egypt was 
founded, and while she was advancing to the height of her great- 
ness, the religion of the true God must have contributed much, 
yea more than anything else, to her elevation ? And is there 
any thing impossible in our obtaining, through the channel just 
mentioned, tolerably correct accounts of the creation, the flood, 
and other important events recorded in the Old Testament, even 
without the aid of inspiration ? Surely there is not. But with 
such aid, those who have given us the history could not err. 

But to return, the Greeks and Romans, in the Apostles' day, 
were among the first to whom he preached the gospel ; and it 
could not be expected that these proud masters of the world 
would at once become the humble followers of the Lamb. 
Rome, in the early days of Christianity, might have been in 
the objector's eye. Christian Rome, yet Nero, the emperor, not 
a long time after its nominal conversion, was the veriest hea- 
then, and most wicked despot, in all the world. His heart was 
as hard and cruel as any that ever disgraced the human char- 
acter. 



252 THE SABBATH. 

Rev. J. MoNTEiTH says, " We are told that Greece and Rome 
were prosperous without the Sabbath. My reply is, Greece 
and Rome were idolatrous — they were not irreligious. Idolatry 
is debasing, and demoralizing, but it does not like infidelity ob- 
literate conscience and spurn at the authority of Heaven. False 
religions are bad, but they are not so bad nor so prejudicial to 
morals as no religion. Among that half enlightened heathen 
nation, the weekly Sabbath was but little recognized, yet their 
days of rest and solemn worship were numerous, and had a pow- 
erful tendency to soften, chasten, and subdue the feelings of the 
heart. All their institutions, as well as their poetry and litera- 
ture, were attempered by the restraining obligations of religious 
fear. 

" Providence was more propitious to them than it will be to the 
reprobate progeny of a degenerate Christianity. We learn the 
practical maxim of Providence from the impressive language of 
the Son of God. ' It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Go- 
morrah, m the day of judgment than for that city,' which abuses 
great privileges. The times of ignorance God winks at, — where 
the Gospel is not known iniquity is not so severely marked and 
punished. Nations in such circumstances may enjoy a degree of 
prosperity, which cannot be enjoyed by those to whom the true 
God has been made known and who have cast off his fear. That 
guilt which draws down the heaviest judgment, and interrupts 
national prosperity, is the guilt of abused light — of those ' who 
knew their master's will and did it not.' 

" The History of Rome furnishes striking testimony to the or- 
dinary maxims of Divine Providence. Her prosperity has been 
overrated ; she was never a happy nation — her citizens were al- 
ways occupied with foreign wars or intestine commotion. Her 
institutions were barbarous — her laws were cruel and unjust — 
her public amusements were stained with the blood of her sons 
— her domestic institutions made the Father of the family the 
arbiter of life and death among his children and servants. Are 
these the blessings of being without the Christian religion ? 

" The downfall of Rome illustrates the same doctrine. The 
steps by which she was brought to this catastrophe, may be 
seen in the persecutions which she carried on against the Chris- 



MORALITY OF THE QUAKERS. 253 

lian religion. She rejected the Christian religion— she despised 
its institutions — persecuted and put to death its advocates, and 
used her best efforts to blot -out its name. Hence the fabric of 
her monstrous empire was, from that period, daily crumbling to 
ruin ; and the vials of divine wrath did not cease to be poured out 
till not a vestige of her greatness remained. 

" It is not, therefore, true, that Greece and Rome prospered, 
while they did not reverence the institutions of religion." 

Objection X. — " There is not a more moral people than 
THE Quakers, yet they observe no Sahhath^ because they do not 
believe that the Bible requires it of them,'''' 

What can we suppose the objectors to mean, by assertions of 
this sort, unless it be to prove that the religion of the Bible and 
the Sabbath have no salutary influence in rendering nations and 
communities better ? If they do mean this, it shows their dishon* 
esty or criminal ignorance of the history of the world, and a wish to 
prejudice the minds of others against the system of revealed reli- 
gion, from which we derive so many blessings, social, civil, and re- 
ligious. Can any one prove that the Sabbath has had no influence 
in forming the moral character of the Friends ? That it had no 
influence on Wm. Penn and his colony? Before their morality, 
which was commendable, can be adduced to show that the Sab- 
bath does not, in its tendency, make communities and individ- 
uals better, it must be proved to demonstration^ that Wm. Penn 
and his colony never were favorably influenced by the Sabbath 
and the Christian religion ; lohich never can be proved. Should 
the objector show us a Wm. Penn, and a colony, like the Penn- 
sylvania Quakers, in Japan, the Washington Islands of the Pa- 
cific, among the mountains of the Moon, or along the Ganges, 
every way as civil, moral, intelligent, and respectable as were 
those first mentioned, but who had never religiously observed a 
Sabbath, nor heard of one — who had never been informed of a 
revealed religion, and had never seen a man who kept a Sabbath 
and observed the religion of the Bible, but had been constantly 
surrounded by pagans, from time immemorial ; such a fact might 
be adduced to show that the Christian religion and the Sabbath 
are not essential to the highest happiness of man in this world. 
22 



254 THE SABEATH. 

But such an instance cannot be found. With equal propriety 
might the objector say, that the Christian religion and the Chris- 
tian Sabbath have no tendency to make a people civil, moral, 
and intelligent, because, in Cleveland there are infidels and deists 
— men who do not believe in either, and yet they are not barba- 
rians, but are, some of them, civil, intelligent, and respectable. 

Such questions raised by objectors against the Christian re- 
ligion, betray a bad heart, and are supremely ridiculous. They 
show that those who ask them prefer heathenism, with its ac- 
companiments, to Christianity. 

Objection XL — " Literature and other influences are ade- 
quate TO secure biorality, and the best iiiterests of society^ 
without the Sabbath.''^ 

Intelligence^ the arts and sciences^ it is said, are the cause of 
the vast difference in the characters of men. But it can easily 
be shown, by well authenticated facts, that this cannot be, and 
that the arts and sciences never flourish so well, in any soil,^as in 
that which produces the fruits of the gospel in the greatest 
abundance. 

" What influence," says Brownlee, " had the splendid lec- 
tures of Socrates and Plato, of Tully and Seneca, on the popula- 
tion of G-reece and Rome ? What influence have the zeal and 
eloquence of modem moralists had on the body of their follow- 
ers ? And what is the moral character of the great body of the 
studious youth, at home and abroad, even after they have enjoyed 
the benefit of the ablest instructions from the moral chair ? The 
truth is, the doctrine of morals, in these philosophical systems, 
is usually separated from the holy principles of the religion of 
Christ ; and wherever this has been done, no one single conver- 
sion, no one genuine reformation has ever been effected. The 
human system of morality, drawn up by the wise and learned, 
can never communicate the principle of spiritual life ; and from 
the days of Socrates to our time, it never has done it." 

Nothing but the sanctifying and regenerating influences of the 
Christian religion, sustained by the Sabbath^ can convert and 
save an individual, or a community, from idolatry, superstition, 
and moral death. Science, refinement, and morality, were it 



LITERATURE CANNOT CONVERT MEN. 255 

possible for them long to exist and flourish without it, could 
never do it. Human enactments have always heen found equally 
inadequate. 

*' In what districts have crimes abounded the most — such as 
theft, robbery, lewdness, intemperance, and murder ? Just in 
those parts and among those classes of people over whom infi- 
delity and atheism have been exerting their fatal influences 
with untiring assiduity ; and where there is no pastor to assem- 
ble the people ; and where there is no veneration, nor even re- 
spect, for the holy Sabbath ,* and where there is not a church- 
going people, even when they might, if they chose, enter the 
house of God. In fact, it is obvious to all who have bestowed 
the least attention on this subject, that in every family, in every 
street of our cities, in every district of our country, where no 
Sabbath is sanctified, there is no religion. Where there is no 
Sabbath, there are no pure morals. Where there is no Sabbath, 
there man forgets God, and God gives up man to his own cor- 
rupt ways. 

" Where there is no Sabbath sanctified by a people, these 
classes of men who boast of their illumination by philosophy, 
become sceptics, infidels, atheists ! Where there is no Sabbath 
sanctified, those classes of the people who are not enlightened 
by philosophy, (and they are the great mass of the population,) 
become degraded by all manner of vice, and brutalized by 
idolatry. Every pagan and Mohammedan land, every infidel 
district in town or country, exhibit the most painful and over- 
whelming evidences of these facts. 

" The history of missionary enterprise, and the ecclesiastical 
condition of nations, throw additional light on our argument, and 
strengthen it. 

" Lift up your eye and trace the progress of the Gospel and its 
institutions over the different nations of the world. Contrast 
the Christian districts and villages in the bosom of the nation of 
ancient Eg}^pt, and Syria, and Greece, and the Roman provnices. 
What a contrast ! It is the contrast of light with darkness — 
of piety with superstition — of religious homage with shocking 
idolatry — of purity with revolting abominations — of manly and 



256 THE SABBATHc 

dignified love of liberty and respect for all the rights of men, 
with mental degradation and tameness under slavery ! Contrast 
the Christian Britons, with the Britons of Caesar's day — the 
Christian Americans with the red men of the wilderness. What, 
I pray you, has wrought this difference ! The G-ospel, and its 
ministry, and its holy Sabbaths, and its sacred institutions — 
these have done it. Take away these from the British by the 
deadly power of infidelity, and the paganism and druidism of 
the Britons would be soon renewed. Banish from our happy 
republic the Sabbath and the Gospel and the ministry — place 
us under the atheism and pov/er of the mfidel mob of our day, 
^ ^ ^ our happy land would soon lose her liberty and her fair 
institutions ; and we should, in a short period, be as the bond 
slaves of Spain, or Italy, or Austria, or the dark pagan lands 
of Asia." 

Contrast, moreover, the moral and political condition of the 
twenty-three islands in the Pacific ocean, now Christianized, in 
part, with their condition as described by Cook and other voya- 
gers before our missionaries went among them. Let these again 
be without a Sabbath, and religious instruction, and they would 
soon be numbered among the degraded, ignorant, and cruel. 
Of France, before the revolution, our author continues : — 
" New tyrants add fresh injuries, and at the distance of about 
one hundred years from that massacre [St. Bartholomew's in 
1572,] in 1685, Louis XIV. revoked the edict of Nantes, and let 
loose the fiends of persecution. By a succession of cruelties, 
massacres, and exiles, the great body of the faithful ministry of 
France was destroyed. The rest, a melancholy remnant, pining 
in obscurity, fell by degrees a prey to the ignorance and the super- 
stition of the age. The churches were shut up, the Gospel was 
not preached, the holy Sabbath was neglected and profaned 
over the kingdom. The decency of morals gradually perished 
with religion. Led on at last by Voltaire and his atheistic 
satellites, the frightful demon of infidelity filled France with its 
emissaries. These met with feeble opposition. Truth had 
fallen in the streets, and her faithful watchmen were gone ! 
Vice, and crime, and atheism, covered France. This conspiracy 



SPECIAL JUDGMENTS. 257 

against God and man burst forth in the old French revolution ; 
and it buried the government, and religion, and morals, and the 
nation, in blood and havoc !" 

Alas, there are but too sure indications that we are following 
in her steps, and shall soon share her doom I A nation without 
the influence of the Christian religion and the Sabbath, as 
prosperous as a nation enjoying them ! A man must be astonish- 
ingly ignorant, or regardless of truth, to assert any such thing. 

Objection XII. — Special judgi^ients are not inflicted for 

NATIONAL sins. 

The idea of special judgments coming on a nation for great 
national sins — such as Sabbath-breaking, licentiousness, and the 
like, has by infidels and deists been much ridiculed. They are 
unwilling to admit that nations ever suffer such judgments for 
their sins, or receive rewards for obeying God's commands ; and 
this opinion extends to the case of individuals also. 

national. 

" In the mean time," says Brownlee, " let such as deny the 
doctrine of national accountability for cherished, and even 
authoritative violations of the fourth commandment, mock on. 
God will vindicate the honor of his own law, however it may 
be assailed, whether by ingenious sophistry, or open defiance. 
One of the first acts of avowed atheism in France was to abolish 
the Christian Sabbath ; and the Lord came out against her with 
fire and with chariots, like a whirlwind, to render his anger 
with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire." 

No people ever yet gave up the Sabbath at once. It has such a 
hold on the hearts and consciences of men, that it is among the 
last moral precepts whose claims can be shaken ofil While a 
man is preparing to do this, his last act of violence to his con- 
science, he gradually throws off one restraint and then another ; 
and when he comes to this last, and gains courage enough to 
cast it also from him, he is an infidel — fully prepared, except as 
restrained by public opinion, to pull down temples of Christian 
worship, burn the Bible, banish its ministers, tread in the dust 
22* 



258 THE SABBATH. 

every humble believer; and, were it possible, pluck Jehovah 
from his throne. 

The mfidel and deist wish not the God of the Bible, any 
more than they wish the Sabbath of the Bible ; and they would 
as soon annihilate the one as the other, so far as their influence 
on the Christian religion is concerned. Either, lost to the 
Christian, all, to him, is lost. God and the Sabbath are the 
two greatest foes of wicked men — the object to be worshiped, 
and the time, when all men shall meet to pay homage to Him. 
When men have broken down this last barrier to out-breaking 
crimes, they have become ripe, like infidel France, not only for 
their deeds of blood and carnage, but for the righteous judgments 
of Heaven. Since, then, all nations and people, which have 
trodden the Sabbath in the dust, have been dashed in pieces and 
scattered to the winds, — since those nations, which have re- 
ligiously observed that institution, have been, without excep- 
tion, prosperous, intelligent, and happy, — and since God blessed 
or cursed the Jews, according as they regarded or disregarded 
that day, as he said he would, we cannot but infer that awful 
punishments, in this life, await the nation or community who 
pollutes that holy day. 

Jer. xvii. 21, 22, 27.—" Thus saith the Lord," &c. " But if 
ye will not hearken unto me, to hallow the Sabbath, and not 
bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the 
Sabbath day — then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and 
it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be 
quenched." 

Lev. xxvi. 33, 34. — '^ And I will scatter you among the 
heathen, and draw out the sword after you, and your land shall 
be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy 
her Sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate, and ye shall be in your 
enemies' land ; even then shall the land rest and enjoy her 
Sabbaths." 

Read Neh. xiii — also, Lev. xxvi. 

Believer in the Christian religion ! we tremble for this nation, 
and for those communities which profane the Sabbath. The 
Jews did not obey God in this respect, and the threatened 
judgments have been literally fulfilled, as every one knows who 



SPECIAL JXTDGMENTS. 259 

is but partially acquainted with their history. Infidels may 
laugh, and ascribe it to chance ; but the " day of their calamity 
draweth nigh." They may in this life escape the judgments of 
heaven, for defying God and trampling on his authority ; for this 
is not a state of retribution to individuals ; but the day is com- 
ing, when their hands will not be strong, and their hearts will 
not endure. 

INDIVIDUALS. 

Cases of signal punishment for individual sins, in this world, 
additional to those recorded in the Bible, might be given. Nor 
is there any mystery at all about it. The natural tendency of 
breaking the Sabbath is downward ; and the road is full of pit- 
falls and thorns, and frightful precipices. See some dozen or 
twenty cases recorded in proof of this position, in a little tract en- 
titled " Sahlath Occupations^''^ published by the American Tract 
Society. We shall copy one or two of them : 

" A number of persons appointed a certain Sabbath as a time 
to play at foot ball. And while two of them were tolling a bell 
to call the company together, they were struck with lightning 
and both died." 

" A pious minister, in his sermon, once spoke of the man in 
the camp of Israel, who was stoned to death for gathering sticks 
upon the Sabbath. A thoughtless man present was offended ; 
and to show his contempt, left the house, and began to gather 
up sticks. When the congregation came out, they found the 
man dead, with a bundle of sticks in his arms." 

We add a word from a distinguished foreign writer : 

" Let the degradation, the disgrace, and at last the expulsion 
of the race of Stuarts from the throne of Britain, serve as a pub- 
lic warning to all Britons. For who, in the least acquainted 
with the history of his country, knows not, that, from the time 
when James the sixth of Scotland and first of England set him- 
self to establish iniquity by a law, by instituting the book of 
sports! in England, for the Lord's day, the judgments of heaven 
pursued that family with calamity upon calamity, till the line of 
princes in that house, to lay claim to the crown of Britain, is 
now no more ?" 



260 THE SABBATH. 

Many deluded and wicked men, like those just referred to, 
while listening to the history of the punishment and death of 
the man who gathered sticks on the Sabbath, as recorded in 
Numb. XV. 32-36, have been roused to indignation and contempt, 
both toward the Lawgiver and Israel. They denounce the 
transaction as totally unjust, and deserving the unqualified repro- 
bation of all good men. But look at the circumstances. God 
had separated Israel from the heathen, to train them up in a 
knowledge of himself. He had given them his law, with its 
awful penalties. Obedience to that law would qualify them for 
his service, in communicating to the rest of the world his mind 
and will, and the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Diso- 
bedience to that law, unpunished, would bring it, as well as its 
Author, into contempt ; and a man might show his contempt of 
the Lawgiver as fully by killing one man, as by killing a thou- 
sand ; and by picking up sticks, as by running boats and stages 
on the Sabbath. 

God also well knew, that if his people would not religiously 
keep the Sabbath, as he had commanded, it would be impossi- 
ble to preserve among them a knowledge of himself. The Sab- 
bath, as an instrument in his hands to accomplish this object, 
was every thing. If he suffered one man to profane it, though 
in a very trifling matter, another would not only take the same, 
but greater liberties ; and in a short time, as facts in other coun- 
tries show, they would have had no Sabbath among them ; or 
individuals, at least, would neither sanctify, nor care anything 
about it. Further, if this and other breaches of the Sabbath 
were to go unpunished, the whole people might become lawless, 
and God might give them up to be destroyed. 

Under these circumstances, should the man be put to death, 
that the law might be honored, and the whole people saved, or 
should he go unpunished, the law be despised, and God compel- 
led to give up the people to self-destruction ? We should say, 
let the man he stoned to death ; and let not only Israel, but all 
creation utter a loud amen to it. Men who will continue, con- 
temptuously, impiously, and wantonly, to profane that day, for 
their own sakes^ and the world^s, had better be put away from 
society, every one of them, than be allowed to go on, filling up 



SPECIAL JUBGMENTSo 261 

the measure of their iniquities, until they shall have blotted out 
the institution among them, and thereby destroyed, not only 
themselves, but millions of others, in body and soul. So have 
thought all those wise men who have enacted laws touching 
Sabbath desecration. Then the Sabbath might be saved. Men 
would not, for their own gratification^ continue to trample on 
the law of the Sabbath, if they knew, that, as the price of their 
temerity, confinement was soon to be inflicted upon them. They 
would then pause and tremble. We should then have a way 
of preventing those men from destroying themselves and the 
community, who fear not the divine threatenings. Men who 
disregard future retribution, would then fear present. It is on 
account of such men, that God has given us an example of the 
mode of governing a people by a code of civil laws. This de- 
claration will doubtless startle many. But we take the life of 
the man who breaks the sixth commandment ; and why not the 
liberty of the man who perseveres in breaking the fourth ? God 
gave the example of taking life in both instances: and the Sab- 
bath-breaker, wilfully and habitually so, is doing more injury to 
the morals of the community, than ten murderers; because we 
do not see, so clearly, the evil he is committing, and therefore 
make no provision to counteract it. As to the propriety of taking 
life^ at the present day, for any crime, we say nothing. But of 
this we are confident : God has put into the hands of every 
nation, a rule by which wicked, infidel, deistical men, who dis- 
believe and contemn him, and disregard their laws, can be gov- 
erned, and prevented from destroying the influence of the gospel 
and its institutions, which he has designed shall bless the world. 
Those nations which will not avail themselves of that rule, will 
be destroyed Z*?/ these men who fear not God ; and all together, 
will go to destruction. 

There are ways enough to avail ourselves of this rule, without 
taking a man's life. If a man says, I fear not your God, neither 
will I obey his voice, nor your laws touching him and his word ; 
but I will blaspheme his name, pollute his Sabbaths, and ridi- 
cule his word — shut him out from society, for he will assuredly 
corrupt and destroy it, unless you do. 

Which is best, that this one member should suffer, or the whole 



262 THE SABBATH. 

body ? We only touch upon this point, not intending here to 
discuss it at length ; but suspect that we have given up ground 
to the infidel and deist which must be retaken^ or they will not 
only ruin themselves, but their families and the world. Man 
has no right to disoley God^ to the injury of his fellow men. If 
we allow him to do it, we nourish in our bosom an asp which 
will sting us to death. 

There are two ways ordained by God of governing moral 
agents in this world. One is moral suasion — not only to per- 
suade men to do rights but to endeavor to prevent them from 
doing wrong. But this cannot prevent them from doing wrong. 
The other is, physical force. This is only for those who are 
determined^ notwithstanding moral suasion, to do wrong. This 
physical force cannot^ nor is it intended to make a man love God, 
and be religious ; but it can keep him from doing wicked acts — 
those things which God has forbidden him to do; and this God 
intends to have done. In a philanthropic and political point of 
view merely, we have a right, admitted by all good citizens, to 
forbid the doing of those things which injure society ; but we 
may not have a right to command the doing of all those things 
which might be beneficial to society. The man is to have his 
choice^ whether he will go to heaven or to hell; but he cannot 
have his choice, whether he may or may not do those things 
which will drag others along with him — he may not have his 
choice, whether he will block up the way to heaven, and con- 
temn God, and labor to make others contemn him. 

God had a moral and a civil or judicial code. Both were 
necessary in Moses' time ; and for the same reasons, both are 
necessary in these times. 

We should like to explain this point farther, but have, per- 
haps, already digressed too far from the main subject. 

Objection XIIL — " Christians wish to unite Church and 
State." 

It has been alleged that deists secured to this nation its reli- 
gious liberty ; and it is also claimed by some, that liberty origi- 
nated in the mind of a deist in this country. 

Our belief has always been, that the first spark of religious 



NO UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE. 263 

and republican liberty emanated from the Bible, and the influ- 
ence of the Sabbath, and through the Puritans, before they left 
England. Some very important facts, on this point, may be 
gathered from the following extracts. 

^' In the days of the Commonwealth, * =^ * on which side 
was found the inextinguishable love of liberty, and the great 
weight of solid English character, and morality, and pure re- 
ligion ? In the camp of the republicans, beyond a doubt ; among 
the Puritans and Whigs, where the Sabbath was held most sa- 
cred, and the ministry of Christ honored, and the pure gospel 
preached uniformly with divine success. And v/hat a contrast 
did this present to the camp of Charles I. and the court of Charles 
II. The Scottish malignant, and the English cavalier, the favor- 
ites of the Stuarts, united in their characters the grossest flat- 
tery of absolute monarchy and spiritual tyranny, with the most 
revolting irreligion, blasphemy, Sabbath-breaking, intemperance, 
reveling, and an utter contempt of even common decency." — 
Brownie e. 

The following very pertinent remarks are from a sermon 
preached in New York city, in 1831, by Rev. Herman Norton: 

" UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE." 

'' How this charge appears in this country at the present time* 
—It is brought more particularly against the Presbyterians. 
They are said to be engaged in a conspiracy against this great 
republic, or are attempting to subvert the liberties of the people. 

" On the other side of the Atlantic, the Presbyterians have 
never been charged with uniting Church and State. They have 
no connection with the civil government ; do not believe in a 
union between civil and religious aflairs ; and /or this very rea* 
son, have always been opposed by the sovereigns of Europe. 

" That you may see that this is not mere assertion, without 
proof, I will bring forward the testimony of one, on this subject, 
who will not be considered very partial towards the Presbyteri- 
ans. I refer to Hume, that notorious infidel. He declares that 
Queen Elizabeth opposed the Presbyterians, or Puritans, (for 
the Presbyterians are their descendants,) ' because of their at- 
tachment to civil liberty.' * By them alone,' Hume says, 'the 



264 THE SABBATH. 

precious spark of liberty had been kindled and was preserved ; 
and to them the English owe the whole freedom of their Consti- 
tution.' 

" Hume also says, that James I. ' saw in the Presbyterians of 
Scotland a violent turn towards republicanism, and a zealous 
attachment to civil liberty ;' and that James declared ' that there 
is no more agreement between Preshyterianism and monarchy^ 
than between God and the deviW^ 

" He further asserts, that in the reign of Charles I., ' they 
were disgusted with the court, from their attachment to the 
principles of civil liberty^ which were essential to their partyJ^ ^ 

" Finally, Hume says, these Presbyterians ' shipped off to 
America, and founded a government, where they enjoyed all 
that liberty which they desired, but could not obtain in their 
own country.' 

" But these people are now charged with uniting Church and 
State* They are said to be subverting the liberties of this 
country, while they adopt the same civil and religious creed 
which has kept alive the spark of liberty in Europe, infidels 
themselves being judges. 

" Two charges, directly opposite to each other, brought against 
those who embrace the same views and sentiments of civil and 
religious liberty, cannot both be true. If the charges on the 
other side of the Atlantic are true, as kings and infidels affirm, 
then the allegation that Presbyterians in this country are sub- 
verting the liberties of the people, is the most ludicrous that 
was ever made by the tongue of mortal. 

" But after all the noise which the cry of ' Church and State'' 
has made through the country, and all the prejudice which it 
has excited, it is a matter of fact, that ivicked men have been 
trying to unite Church and State. The only Tvay by v/hich civil 
rulers and politicians have succeeded in condemning Christians 
in ages past, has been to interfere with their religion. They 
have enacted pernicious and outrageous laws, subverting the 
foundations of religious principle ; they have armed these laws 
with the heaviest penalties, and required the people of God to 
obey them or suffer. The faithful servants of G-od have deter- 
mined to obey God, rather than man. This has been called 



NO UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE. 265 

obstinacy by the wicked, and has kindled the fire which has 
burnt up the bodies of tlie saints. Cliristians have always been 
the best subjects, as far as civil law has been concerned. They 
have always been prompt to obey. Even Louis the XIV., that 
bitter persecutor of Christians, said, that he had reason to ap- 
plaud their fidelity and zeal in his service. They omitted no 
opportunity of giving him evidence of their loyalty, ' even beyond 
all that could he imagined^ contributing in all things to the ad- 
vantage of his affairs.' Yet after this, he ordered them to leave 
his kingdom in fifteen days, or turn Roman Catholics, or be put 
to death. 

" It is only when rulers have made laws contrary to the laws 
of Grod, that Christians have refused to obey. This is the way 
which wicked men have devised to bring charges against the 
people of God. Look at the case of Daniel — Dan. vi. 4-5. 
* Then the presidents and the princes sought to find occasion 
against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find 
none occasion nor fault ; forasmuch as he was faithful ; neither 
was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these 
men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except 
as we find it against him concerning the law of his God.' 

" They could find fault with nothing but his religion. They 
discovered that Daniel prayed to the God of heaven three times 
a day. * Now, let us have a law, that no man shall pray only to 
the King for thirty days.' The law was made ; but Daniel 
would pray to his God, although contrary to law, and he was 
thrown into a den of lions. 

" Look at the case of the three men mentioned in Daniel iii. 
They would not worship Nebuchadnezzar's image. So they 
were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 

" So in hundreds of instances since that time. So, we have 
reason to believe, it will be in time to come. Christians will 
be put to death for not submitting to the wicked laws of wicked 
men, who are thus trying to unite church and state. "^"^ 

We are not certain that there were not men, in this nation, 

who aided in making the laws relative to Sahhath mails, with 

the design of getting something against Christians, wherewith 

to accuse them or persecute them, if they would not quietly 

23 



266 THE SABBATH. 

consent to break the fourth commandment.. But, whatever 
their views might have been, they have effectually shut out of 
the PostofFice Department, every consistent, conscientious be- 
liever in the Christian religion. Yet, when a man raises his 
voice, condemnmg that law, as against the law of God, unjust 
and unconstitutional, many wicked men in this land are ready 
to throw him " into the den of lions." and would gladly, it 
seems, annihilate at a blow, all distinction of days, so far as bu- 
siness or pleasure is concerned. This will never do. God will 
deal with this nation for this thing. 

Objection XIV. — " Washington, Fkanklin, and most of the 
other framers of our government were disbelievers in the Chris' 
tian religion, or at least sceptical,''^ 

Infidels and deists say, the honest-hearted should be informed, 
that Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, were not even believ- 
ers in Christianity, or at least not orthodox believers. The 
same is said of the majority of those who framed the Constitu- 
tion of these United States, No doubt, since " misery loves 
company," infidels and deists would gladly, if they could, unite 
not only such men with their ranks, but the prophets, apostles, 
and martyrs. But this they cannot do; and their assertions 
will not obtain credit without confirmation from other sources. 
That all the framers of the Constitution were devoted Chris- 
tians, no one pretends. But it is not true that Washington was 
an infidel, nor that Franklin was at that time. Indeed, most of 
those who aided in framing and adopting that valuable instru- 
ment, were very far from being infidels, deists, or sceptics. 

WASHINGTON. 

" The father of his country was our first President. We had 
thought the Chief Magistrate was in some sense the represen- 
tative of the nation. He certainly ought to know the ' spirit of 
the Constitution,' for he is sworn to support it. Washington 
entered on his office with such language as this : * It would be 
peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent 
supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the uni- 
verse — who presides in the councils of nations — and whose pro- 



WASHIiSGTON AND FRANKLIN NOT INFIDELS. 267 

vidential aids can supply every human defect, that his benedic- 
tion may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people 
a government instituted by themselves, and may enable every 
instrument employed in its administration to execute with suc- 
cess the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this ho- 
mage to the great Author of every public and private good, I 
assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than 
my own.' " 

What is this but an acknowledgment of the religion of the 
Bible, rather than the religion of deists or infidels ? He continues : 

" No people can be hound to acknowledge and adore the invi- 
sible hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the 
people of the United States. * =^ ^ We ought to be persuaded 
that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a 
nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which 
heaven itself has ordained." 

At the close of his official language, he supplicates the " Be- 
nign Parent," that his blessing may still attend the efforts of our 
government. 

At or near the close of his official life, he says : 

*' It is important, likewise, that the halits of tMnking^ in a 
free country, should inspire caution in those entrusted with its 
administration, avoiding, in the exercise of the powers of one de- 
partment encroaching upon another. [Possibly, for example, 
that the Postoffice Department do not encroach upon the habits 
of thinking, and Sabbath laws of the States.] Of all the dispo- 
sitions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion, and 
morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that maa 
claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert 
these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of 
the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician^ equally 
with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them." 

Cherish what ? The mere politician cherish religion and 
morality ! He as much bound to do it, and that too the Chris- 
tian religion, as the pious man ! Certainly, and for the best of 
reasons, so far as man is concerned ; because they are " the 
great pillars of human happiness, the firmest props of the duties 
of men and citizens." This is not " unitino: Church and State." 



268 THE SABBATH. 

This is not infidelity, nor anti-christianity ; but it looks very 
much like acknowledging the Christian religion, in preference 
to the religion of pagans, Mohammedans, infidels, or deists. 

Hear him again : 

" Let it be simply asked, where is the security for property, 
for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert 
the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in courts 
of justice ? Let us with caution indulge the supposition, that 
morality can be maintained without religion. — Whatever may 
be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of 
peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to ex- 
pect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious 
principle." 

It is said of Washington, that 

" He lent the force of his example and authority, to sanction 
the separation of a Sabbath, for the purpose of sustaining reli- 
gious principle. Even in camp no unnecessary duties were re- 
quired, though it was well known that an enemy who burnt our 
churches, and turned them irito riding-schools, and used the 
pews for hog-pens, accounted the nation religious and Sabbath- 
keeping ; and therefore were in the habit, for vexation, of en- 
deavoring, especially on that day, to 'beat up our quarters.' 
We know well, that though burdened with the cares of the 
army and the extensive correspondence, and other official duties 
of his station, in an inclement season, and though his quarters 
were several miles distant from the main encampment at New 
Windsor, he was punctual at the temple on the Sabbath 
day. This regard for the Sabbath and public worship, he con- 
tinued afterwards, and proved by his example and influence, the 
sincerity of his public and official declarations. So far from 
grudging one day in seven for the purposes of cherishing religion 
— by proclamation from the President, the 19th of February, 
1796, was directed to be observed throughout the United States, 
as a day of religious thanksgiving." 

It is also said of him, that his private devotions and prayers 
to Almighty God, during our struggle for liberty, were frequent 
and fervent. 

" During the winter of 1777, the American army lay encamped 



WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN NOT INFIDELS. 269 

at Valley Forge. It was a trying time with the army and the 
country. Prospects were much against our success. One day 
a Quaker by the name of Potts had occasion to go to a certain 
place, which led him through a large grove at no great distance 
from head-quarters. As he was proceeding along, he thought 
he heard a noise. He listened. He did hear the sound of a hu- 
man voice at some distance, but quite indistinctly. As it was 
in the direct course he was pursuing, he went on, but with 
some caution. Occasionally he paused and listened, and with 
increased conviction that he heard some one. At length he 
came within sight of a man, whose back was turned towards 
him, on his knees, in the attitude of prayer. It was a secluded 
spot ; a kind of natural bower ; but it was the house of prayer. 
Potts now stopped, partly leaned forward, and watched till who- 
ever it might be was through his devotions. This was not long. 
And whom should he now see but Washington himself, the 
commander of the American armies, returning from bending 
prostrate before the God of armies above ! 

" Potts himself was a pious man. He knew the power of 
prayer ; and no sooner had he reached home, than in the ful- 
ness of his faith, he broke forth to his wife Sarah in the language 
of a watchman : ' Wife ! Sarah ! ! my dear, all's well ! ail's 
well ! Yes, George Washington is sure to beat the British — 
sure P ' What, what's the matter with thee, Isaac V replied 
the startled Sarah. ' Thee seems to be moved about something.' 
' Well, and what if I am moved ; who would not be moved at 
such a sight as I have seen to-day.' ' And what hast thou seen, 
Isaac V ' Seen ! I've seen a man at prayer ! — in the woods ! 
GEORGE WASHINGTON, himself !— and now I say—just 
what I have said — All's well ; George Washingtgn is sure to 
beat the British — sure P " — Anecdotes of Washington, 

" In the exalted station of President, his conduct contiimed to 
be distinguished by the same uniform and punctual observance 
of religious duties which had always marked his life. As he 
was chiefly resident in Philadelphia during the eight years of 
his administration, he had a pew in Christ church of that city, 
of which the venerable Bishop White was then the Rector. 
During all the time he was in the government, Washington was 
23^ 



270 THE SABBATH. 

punctual in his attendance on divine worship. His pew was 
seldom vacant when the weather would permit him to attend. 
In regard to his habit at that time, the living grandson of Mrs. 
Washington, George W. P. Custis, Esq. of Arlington, bears the 
following testimony : ' On Sundays, unless the weather was un- 
commonly severe, the President and Mrs. Washington attended 
divine service at Christ church ; and in the evenings the Presi- 
dent read to Mrs. Washington, in her chamber, a sermon, or 
some portion from the sacred writings.' 

" It may here be added, simply as evidence of his devotional 
habits, that he always said grate at table. In one instance, 
from the force of habit, he performed this duty himself when a 
clergyman was present — an instance of indecorum very unusual 
with him. Being told, after the clergyman's departure, of the 
incivility, he expressed his regret at the oversight, but added^ 
' the reverend gentleman will, at least, be assured, that we are 
not entirely graceless at Mount Vernon.' " 

" In the year 1820, a clerg^^man of this State being in com- 
pany with Major , a relative of General Washington, 

had an accidental conversation with him on the subject of 
Christianity. An inquiry was made of the Major, as to the 
religious opinions of his distinguished kinsman. This was 
done in part, as knowing his veneration for Washington, and 
for information, too, as he had been captain of the General's 
body guard, during a greater part of the war, and possessed the 
best opportunities of learning his views and habits. In answer 
to the question, he observed, after hesitating for a moment? 
' General Washington was certainly a pious man, his opinions 
being in favor of religion, and his habits all of that character 
and description.' But being further interrogated as to his habits 
he replied, that his uncle, he knew, was in the habit of praying 
in private — and with the animation of an old soldier, excited by 
professional recollections, rather than sympathy with the sub- 
ject, he related the circumstances of the following occurrence, 
while encamped at , N . J. 'A soldier arrived one morn- 
ing, about daybreak, with dispatches for the Commander-in- 
chief, from a distant division of the army. As soon as his busi- 
ness was known, he was directed to me as captain of the body - 



I 



WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN NOT INFIDELS. 271 

guard, to whom he came forthwith, and giving me his papers, I 
repaired at once to the General's quarters. On my way to his 
room, after reaching the house, I had to go along a narrow 
passage of some length. As I approached his door, it being yet 
nearly dark, I was arrested by the sound of a voice. I paused 
and listened for a moment, when I distinguished it as the 
General's voice, and in another moment found that he was 
engaged in audible prayer. As, in his earnestness, he had not 
heard my footsteps, or, if he heard me, did not choose to be 
interrupted, I retired to the front of the dwelling, till such time 
as I supposed him unengaged, when, returning, and no longer 
hearing his voice, I knocked at the door, which being promptly 
opened, I delivered the dispatches, received an answer, and 
dismissed the soldier.' 

" How impressive an example of sincere devotion have we 
here ! The leader of our armies, though oppressed with cares 
and labors, an unequalled burden, yet forsakes his friendly couch 
at the dawn of day, and upon his knees, ' cries unto God with 
his voice.' He is not content with unuttered prayer. His earn- 
estness s€eks its natural vent in audible and articulate sounds." 

But this is the man, and this is the religion which our object- 
ors slander and oppose. Who but infidels, deists, and Sabbath- 
breakers could do it ? 

FRANKLIN. 

When the delegates were met in Convention, at Philadelphia, 
in May, 1787, to form a Constitution for the United States, their 
councils were in a measure distracted, and some warmth and 
acrimonious feeling were manifested. It was in this state of 
things that Dr. Franklin rose and made the following remarks : — 

" Mr, President, — The small progress we have made, after 
four or five weeks' close attendance, and continual reasonings 
with each other, our different sentiments on almost every ques- 
tion, several of the last producing as many 7ioes as ayes, is, me- 
thinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human 
understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of po- 
litical wisdom, since we have been running all about in search 
of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of 



272 THE SABBATH. 

government, and examined the diiferent forms of those republics 
which, having originally been formed with the seeds of their 
own dissolution, now no longer exist, and we have viewed 
modern states all round Europe, but lind none of their consti- 
tutions suitable to our circumstances. 

" In this situation of this Assembly, groping, as it were, in the 
dark, to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it 
when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have 
not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of 
lights to illuminate our understandings ? In the beginning of 
the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we 
had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our 
prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. 
All of us who were engaged in the struggle, must have ob- 
served frequent instances of a superintending providence in our 
favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportu- 
nity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our 
future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that 
powerful friend ? or do we imagine that we no longer need 
his assistance ? I have lived, sir^ a long time, and the longer 
I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that 
God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot 
fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an 
empire can rise without his aid ? We have been assured, sir, 
in the sacred writings, that ' except the Lord build the house, 
they labor in vain who build it.' I firmly believe this; and I 
also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed 
in this political building no better than the builders of Babel ; 
we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests ,* our 
projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a 
reproach and a by-word down to future ages. And, what is 
worse, mankind may, hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, 
despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and 
leave it to chance, war, and conquest. 

" I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers, im- 
ploring the assistance of heaven, and its blessing on our delibe- 
rations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we pro- 
ceed to business ; and that one or more of the clergy of this 



WASHINGTON AND FKANKLIN NOT INFIDELS. 273 

city be requested to officiate in that service." — Sparlcs^ Edition 
of Franklin'' s WorJcs, 

They then adjourned. When they again met they had pray- 
ers, and there was no difficulty in prosecuting their work. Does 
this movement of Franklin's look like infidelity ? 

At another time he was not ashamed to avow that he "be- 
lieved in the providence of God, as governing the world; that 
the Constitution was influenced, guided, and governed by that 
Onmipotent, Omnipresent, and beneficent Ruler, in whom all 
inferior spirits live, and move, and have their being ; and that 
public prayers to G-od, by national bodies, were appropriate and 
necessary." This does not look like the language of an anti- 
christian man. But Dr. Franklin tells us, that when he was fif- 
teen years of age, he was sceptical, and doubted revelation itself, 
though he was educated a Calvinist, and had pious parents. 
He then read some volumes against deism, and they, strange as 
it may appear, made him a perfect deist. He says — " My 
arguments perverted some other young persons, particularly 
Collins and Ralph. But in the sequel, when I recollected that 
they had both used me extremely ill, without the smallest re- 
morse ; when I considered the behavior of Keith, another free" 
thinker, and my own conduct towards Vernon and Miss Reed, 
which, at times, gave me great uneasiness, I was led to suspect 
this doctrine ; though it might be true, it was not very useful. 

" Revelation, indeed, as such, had no influence on my mind ; 
but I was of opinion, that though certain actions could not be 
bad, merely because revelation had prohibited them, or good, 
because it enjoined them, yet it was probable that those actions 
were prohibited because they were bad for us, or enjoined be- 
cause advantageous in their nature, all things considered. This 
persuasion, divine Providence, or some guardian angel, and, 
perhaps, a concurrence of favorable circumstances operating, 
preserved me from all immorality. # =^ # I may say vo' 
luntary, because the errors into which I had fallen, had been 
in a manner, the forced result, either of my own inexperience, 
or the dishonesty of others. Thus, before I entered on my own 
new career, I had imbibed solid principles, and a character of 
probity." 



274 THE SABBATH. 

These were the views of the hoy Franklin, at the age cf 
fifteen. 

At the commencement of his life, written by himself, we 
hear him exclaiming — and this he tells us was written in his 
old age — 

*' And here let me, with all humility, acknowledge, that to a 
divine Providence I am indebted for the felicity I have hitherto 
enjoyed. It is that power alone which has furnished me with 
the means I have employed, and that has crowned me with 
success. My faith, in this respect, leads me to hope, though I 
cannot count upon it, that the divine goodness will still be 
exercised toward me. * ^ * My future fortune is unknown 
but to Him in whose hand is our destiny, and who can make 
our very afflictions subservient to our benefits" =* ^ * 

Just before his death, it is said of him : 

" During this state, when the severity of his pains sometimes 
drew forth a groan of complaint, he would observe that he was 
afraid he did not bear them as he ought, acknowledging his 
grateful sense of the many blessings he had received from that 
Supreme Being who had raised him from small and low begin* 
nings, to such high rank and consideration among men. And 
he had no doubt these afflictions were intended to v/ean him 
from this world." 

Franklin's Epitaph. — The following epitaph was written 
by himself, many years previous to his death : 

" The Body of Benjamin Franklin^ Printer, (like the cover of 
an old book, its contents torn out, and stripped of its lettering 
and gilding,) lies here food for worms. Yet the work itself 
shall not be lost, for it will (as he believed,) appear once more 
in a new and more beautiful edition, corrected and amended by 
the Author." 

Is this deism, infidelity, atheism, and anti-christianity ? If 
so, it is not like the language of anti-christian men at the pre- 
sent day : for, in the epitaph is recognized the doctrine of the 
separation of soul and body at death ; the resurrection and per- 
fection of both ; and the superintending providence and almighty 
power of the Lord, Jehovah. On what did Franklin found 
these opinions, if not on the revelation made in the Holy Bible 1 



WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN NOT INFIDELS. 275 

Franklin, if he were anti-christian, was a hypocrite. We invite 
all those who would detract from the moral and religious cha- 
racter of Dr. Franklin, and extinguish the light of the Christian 
religion and the Sabbath, to read the following letter, pub- 
lished in the New- York Observer, it being as appropriate to 
such as it was to Thomas Paine. 

franklin's letter to PAINE. 

The tract, Doyih Unchain the Tiger, (No. 280 of the Ameri- 
can Tract Society,) written by Rev. William Wisner, contains 
the following extract, purporting to be from a letter of Dr. 
Franklin to Thomas Paine, on his submitting to him his Age 
of Reason, in manuscript : " I would advise you not to attempt 
unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by 
any other person. If men are so wicked with religion, what 
would they be without it ?" 

It has been stoutly denied by infidels, that Franklin ever wrote 
such a letter, especially on the ground that Franklin died before 
the Age of Reason wsls published. This has led to the inquiry 
whether the letter be genuine ; and the reply is, it is found in 
the London edition of Franklin's works, by his grandson, Wm. 
T. Franklin, vol. iii. page 279 ; in Duane's Philadelphia edition, 
vol. vi. page 243 ; and McCarty and Davis' Philadelphia edition 
of his Memoirs, 1834, vol. i. page 623 ; and is as follows : 

[without date.] 

a To * ^ ^ 

, " Dear Sir, — I have read your manuscript with some atten- 
tion. By the argument which it contains against a particular 
Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike 
at the foundations of all religion. For, without the belief of a 
Providence, that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and 
may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a 
Deity, to fear its displeasure, or to pray for its protection. I will 
not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem 
to desire it. At present, I shall only give you my opinion, that 
though your reasonings are subtle, and may prevail with some 
readers, you will not succeed so as ro change the general senti- 



276 THE SABBATH. 

ments of mankind on that subject; and the consequence of print- 
ing this piece will be, a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself, 
mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits against 
the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to succeed, do 
you imagine any good will be done by it ? You yourself may 
find it easy to live a virtuous life without the assistance afforded 
by religion ; you having a clear perception of the advantages of 
virtue and the disadvantages of vice, and possessing a strength of 
resolution sufficient to enable you to resist common temptations. 
But think how great a portion of mankind consists of ignorant 
men and women, and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of 
both sexes, who have need of the motives of religion to restrain 
them from vice, support their virtue, and retain them in the prac- 
tice of it, till it becomes habitual, which is the great point for its 
security. And, perhaps, you are indebted to her originally, that 
is, to your religious education, for the habits of virtue upon which 
you now justly value yourself You might easily display your 
excellent talents of reasoning upon a less hazardous subject, and 
thereby obtain a rank with our most distinguished authors. For 
among us it is not necessary, as among the Hottentots, that a 
youth, to be raised into the company of men, should prove his 
manhood by beating his mother. I would advise you, therefore, 
not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece be- 
fore it is seen by any other person ; whereby you will save your- 
self a great deal of mortification from the enemies it may raise 
against you, and, perhaps, a good deal of regret and repentance. 
" If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be with' 
out it ? I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship, 
and therefore add no professions to it, but subscribe, simply, 
" Yours, 

"B. Franklin." 

As to the authenticity of this letter, a literary gentleman, who 
has been unwearied in collecting the original documents, &c. of 
Dr. Franklin, says, evidently with great propriety : 

*' I have not the least doubt that the letter was written by Dr. 
Franklin. — 1. Because it was published by his grandson, in his 
edition of Dr. Franklin's works. — 2. Because the style and turn 



FRANKLIN NOT AN INFIDEL. 277 

of expression have some of the marked peculiarities of Frank- 
lin. — 3. Because the idea of a 'particular Providence,' con- 
tained in the letter, is precisely such as he advances in other 
parts of his writings. It was a favorite topic, upon which he 
wrote one of his best essays. 

" The tradition that it was addressed to Paine," sa^^-s the same 
gentleman, '^ is not improbable. The first infidel work published 
by him, I believe, was the 'Age of Reason.' This did not appear 
till after Franklin's death : but the author seems to hint, in his 
preface, that parts had been written for some time. Franklin 
returned to Europe in the summer of 1785, and Paine did not go 
to France till more than a year afterwards. Within this space, 
therefore, he might have shown to Franklin a sketch or outline 
of his intended publication, the perusal of which may have drawn 
forth the letter in question. But whether the letter was ad- 
dressed to Paine or not is of small moment, as it does not affect 
its intrinsic merits." W. A. H. 

The following particulars respecting Thomas Paine, from 
Cheetham and Sherwin's life of him, will be of interest and im- 
portance in this connection. 

" Thomas Paine was born at Thetford, in Norfolk, in 1737. 
Came to Philadelphia, on the invitation of Benjamin Franklin, 
in 1774. In 1787 he embarked for France, and visited Paris ; 
then went to England. The second part of his Rights of Man 
was published May 21, 1792. Arrived in France Sept., 1792. 
Just before his confinement, in France, which, (as some say, 
was December, 1793,) he finished the first part of the Age 
of Reason ; confided it to the care of his friend Joel Barlow ; 
and it was published. After the fall of Robespierre he was 
released, and, in 1795, published, at Paris, the second part of 
his Age of Reason. Others fix the date of the publication of 
the first part in 1795, and of the second in 1796. He remained 
in France until August, 1802, when he embarked for America, 
and reached Baltimore the October following. Died June 8th, 
1809, in his 73d year." 

Paine probably wrote a part or the whole of the Age of Reason 
while on his first visit to America, between the years 1774 and 
24 



278 THE SABBATH. 

1787. It must have been during this time that the manuscript 
was shown to Dr. Franklin, who advised him not to publish it : 
in consequence of which advice, probably, its appearance was 
deferred until after the death of Franklin. Paine came to Ame- 
rica on the invitation of Franklin. Their acquaintance was inti- 
mate, and nothing was more probable than that Paine showed 
Franklin his work and asked his advice — after which he would 
have little inclination to publish it during Franklin's life, since he 
had passed such severe sentence of condemnation upon it. Though 
Franklin was not in America, but a part of 1775 and 1776, part 
of 1785, and until Paine left, in 1787, yet he was here sufficiently 
long, during Paine's first stay, to have frequent interviews with 
him ; as, in fact, he actually had. Paine, then, as may be seen 
by the above account, did not write the whole of his Age of Rea- 
son while in prison in Paris, though he might have re- written 
and revised it there. 

Though the reasonings of infidels and deists, therefore, may 
be " subtle," and calculated to deceive many on this subject, and 
though they may claim the names of distmguished men, yet they 
cannot blot out the Sabbath, any more than they can destroy the 
Christian religion. They are twin sisters, which must and will 
go together ; and they are immortal. Infidels and wicked men 
may persecute them, and drive them from city to city, and from 
one country to another; or, for a time, drive them into seclusion; 
but they will still live, and their influence will continue to spread, 
until it is felt around the globe. 

Objection XV. — You will provoke Persecution, should your 
sentiments on Sahhath-hreaking be generally known. 

Wicked, anti-christian men say, if these views relative to the 
Sabbath reform should become generally known, and be carried 
out, they would lead to bitter and bloody persecutions. What 
if they do ? That would no more prove these views to be wrong, 
than the persecutions in the days of Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, 
Isaiah, Jesus Christ, and his apostles and martyrs, against those 
good men, proved that they were wrong. Opposition to any 
cause is no evidence that it is unjust. But^ as the Bible is true^ 
wherever an attempt is made to reclaim men from the thraldom 



PEKSECUTION. 279 

of sin, there will always be opposition to it ; and persecution, 
just in proportion to the magnitude of the evil, and the holy zeal, 
perseverance, and ability, which are brought to bear against the 
sin. The best men, engaged in the best of causes, have seen 
and felt this to be true. From the well-known influence of cor- 
rupt propensities and long-cherished sin ; from the amount of 
infidelity, atheism, ignorance, and enmity to all good, in our 
land, we expect, if any attempt is made to remove these evils, 
and wrest this people from the hands of the destroyer, there will 
be a terrible opposition from anti-christian men, which may re- 
sult in much waste of blood and human life. The blood of good 
men, on all similar occasions, has flowed, and will flow again, 
before this world is redeemed unto Jesus Christ. 

Nevertheless, righteousness and peace will ultimately prevail. 
God, the mighty God, will not always sufier his law to be tram- 
pled in the dust by infldels, and his gospel to be despised with 
impunity; nor his faithful followers to lie bleeding in the streets. 
He is about to rise and take to himself his great power ; and 
though a tremendous battle may be fought before his children 
gain the victory ; and though many of them may fall in the con- 
test, from their ashes and their blood will arise an exceeding 
great army, which will easily put to flight all the enemies of 
the Sabbath and of our religion. A day of triumph to God's 
people will surely come. 

ADDRESS TO FEMALES. 

If there be a single female in all Christendom who can look 
with the least complacency on the eflbrts of anti-christian and 
anti-sabbath men, let her remember that the Sabbath-breaker 
is laboring most efl*ectively to reduce the whole sex to that state 
of degradation, misery, and bondage, which maybe seenm those 
lands where the influence of the Christian religion and the light 
of the Sabbath are not known : and that he needs but indiffer' 
ence on her part to accomplish his object with certainty. 

The following extract is from a Sermon to Youth, by Rev. 
A. D. Eddy, 

ON INFIDELITY. 

" It is a source of pleasure, that we are required to address but 



280 THE SABBATH. 

one class of our youth on the subject of infidelity. From this 
delusion and madness the female sex have generally stood ex- 
empt. Whenever they have fallen from the high stand that 
Christianity assigns them, to the level of scepticism, they have 
become disrobed of their dignity and virtue, alike a disgrace to 
their sex, and monsters in society. 

"It is alone almost sufficient to justify the peculiar blessings 
with which Christianity has crowned the female sex, that they 
were never found in opposition to its incarnate Author. ' He 
had something to do for women, which should at once emanci- 
pate them from human impositions, and equalize them in divine 
privileges. * * * None of them appear to have been amongst 
his public enemies, either during his life or at his crucifixion. 
Even Pilate's wife warned her husband, on the judgment-seat, to 
have nothing to do against that 'just person.' In like manner, 
the multitude of women who followed the Savior from the city 
to Calvary, instead of joining with the men in the cry of * C^^U' 
cify him ! ' bewailed and lamented him. Indeed, there is no in- 
stance of any female offering any public indignity to Christ 
while he was on earth. 

* Not she, with traitorous kiss, her Savior stung ; 
Not she denied him with unholy tongue; 
She, while Apostles shrank, could dangers brave ; 
Last at the cross, and earliest at the grave I* 

" Religion has borrowed many of her brightest ornaments from 
the female sex, and uniformly poured upon them the choicest of 
her stores ; and long may it continue to be alike their disgrace 
and ruin, to despise and reject the religion of heaven !" 

Look at the history of all anti-christian people and heathen 
nations, and learn what woman, without the influence of Chris- 
tianity, is doomed to be : then never for a moment give counte- 
nance to sentiments like our objectors', who would prejudice the 
minds of the people against the Sabbath, for they are the worst 
enemies of your sex, Christianity alone can elevate woman. 

View with indifference or complacency such conduct, and, in 
a few years, you and your daughters may know, by painful ex- 
perience, the effects of infidelity and Sabbath-breaking upon your 



LABORING POOR. 281 

domestic happiness and future prospects. Beware, then, we 
entreat you, lest you be found preparing the way for your own 
bondage, and the destruction of all that is amiable, virtuous, 
lovely, and desirable in the female character, by giving your 
sanction to such impious sentiments. 

LABORING POOR. 

To the laboring poor let us say, — Infidels and deists, (and all 
opposed to the Sabbath we class under this head,) would wrest 
from you your best friend ; for the Sabbath is emphatically " the 
poor man's friend." They mdij pretend to be your friends, but 
they are not. Satan pretended to be the friend of Eve, until he 
had ruined our race ; and he feigned great friendship and con- 
cern for our Savior, lest he should suffer hunger. Remember, 
Sabbath-breakers are against God, his Bible, and his Sabbath ; 
and rather than these should be honored as they ought, they 
would ruin their father and mother, their brothers and sisters, 
and the whole human family. As you value liberty, comfort, 
peace, and eternal life, do not believe them. 

When we say that the man who desecrates the Lorcfs day is 
an enemy to himself, to his family, his neighborhood, and the 
world, we do not allude to those who sincerely and devoutly 
worship God, after the dictates of an enlightened conscience, 
and who strictly observe a seventh day rest. Such we, not only 
in this place, but through all this work, mean to except. 

But we do say, that that individual who wantonly and habit- 
ually profanes the Sabbath, or observes no Sabbath, is a danger- 
ous man in the community. His example, if universally follow- 
ed, would blast all our fair prospects, as a nation, m a political 
point of view. Such men are not only enemies to our republic 
and our religion, but they are enemies to their own best inter- 
ests, and to mankind. Past history, profane and sacred, ecclesi- 
astical and civil, will prove this assertion. We love to quote 
from such authors as the following : 

" Do not flatter yourselves that pure and undefiled religion can 

be preserved a single month after the Sabbath is gone ; for the 

house of God will be immediately shut up, or thrown down ; 

your ministers will be driven from the altar ; the hallowed fires 

24^ 



282 THE SABBATH. 

will be extinguished on all the heights of Zion ; the church will 
be clothed in sackcloth ; her tears will be, all the day and all the 
night, upon her cheeks ; and the strings of her harps, upon the 
willows, will be swept only by the mournful breezes of the sur- 
rounding desolation." 

If any deny that this is the legitimate effect of giving up t!i€ 
Sabbath, let them cast their eye upon that chart of the world, 
whose lines give the histor}^ of different religions, and see which 
nations have enjoyed Christianity, and at what period of their 
existence, and which have not. Then turn to their history, and 
learn a lesson which would make the infidel and deist blush and 
hide their heads, but for their hardened impiety, their awful 
blindness, and their determmation towards ruin. 

SABBATH-BREAKING PARENTS. 

In the language of Dr. Humphrey, we say : — 

"If you care not what becomes of your own flesh; if you are 
willing to trust the keeping of their morals and their happiness 
to the wayward propensities of unsanctified nature; if you covet 
from them disobedience, neglect, and abuse in this world, their 
withering testimony at the bar of God, and their bitter execra- 
tions to all eternity, then let them profane the Lord's day as 
much as they please ; let them sport, and fish, and hunt, and 
launch the sail-boat, and lounge in the tavern, while others are 
in the church and the Sabbath school. And lest they should, 
after all, become dissatisfied with the broad way, encourage 
them by your example. Wander about your farms, ^ # * 
or go into your shops and counting-rooms ; or travel with the 
mail, under the sanction of government, and the curse of Hea- 
ven ; or meet your companions in the grog-shop, or on the sunny 
side of the distillery. Attend every anti-sabbath meeting, vote 
for the resolutions and sign the remonstrance. Denounce all the 
Sabbath-keeping boats and stages, and all the petitions to Con- 
gress, as innovations of the rights of conscience, and dangerous 
to the liberties of the country. Such a course will be likely to 
do the work for your families soon, and do it effectually. It will 
bring you, by a short route, to the brink of that gulf, into which 
you may plunge in vain to rescue your sons and daughters from 
destruction." 



CLOSING APPEAL. 283 



CLOSING APPEAL. 



*' Give up the Sabbath — blot out that orb of day — suspend its 
blessed attractions — and the reign of chaos and old night would 
return. The waves of an unquiet sea, high as our mountains, 
would roll and dash, from west to east and east to west ; from 
south to north and north to south, shipwrecking the hopes of 
patriots and the world. 

" "Who then is the patriot that would thrust out our ship from 
her peaceful moorings, in a starless night, upon such an ocean of 
storms, without rudder or anchor, compass or chart ? The ele- 
ments around us may remain, and our giant rivers and mountains. 
Our miserable descendants, also, may multiply, and vegetate, and 
rot, in moral darkness and putrefaction. But the American cha- 
racter and our glorious institutions, will go down into the same 
grave that entombs the Sabbath ; and our epitaph will stand 
forth a warning to the world." — Beecher. 

Look at this, ye Americans, who trample on the Sabbath, and 
quote the opposition made to it by men of great names in the 
Congress of these United States, as a good reason why they 
should receive the highest offices in the gift of the people. Look 
at this, you who scoff at, ridicule, and calumniate the men who 
would rescue this day from its awful and alarming profanations ! 
As surely as there is a God in heaven, this nation must give up 
its opposition to the Sabbath, or drink deep of the cup of his 
mdignation. 

We cannot, since we have taken the Bible for our guide, do 
without a Sabbath, as well as those nations can who have never 
heard of a Bible. 

Our social, civil, and religious blessings, together with our 
literary, scientific, and political prosperity, are inseparably con- 
nected with a due observance of that day. Were it possible for 
us, as a people and a nation to banish forever from our minds all 
reverence and respect for that institution, still the day would not 
be forgotten, though it might live in our remembrance, only as a 
day of pastime and pleasure, every way tending to contaminate 
and corrupt the morals of all. If we do not keep the day as it 
ought to be kept, better would it have been for us never to have 



284 THE SABBATH. 

heard of a day of rest from labor ; better to toil day after day, 
without respite, till we sink into the grave. 

We may as well expect to live holy and religious lives, with- 
out a Bible as without a Sabbath. But, blessed be God, " there 
remaineth unto us the keeping of the Sabbath." There is a Sab- 
bath for the Gentile as well as for the Jew ; " we will rejoice in 
it and be glad." All the ten commandments, given to Moses, 
are wise and good, admirably calculated to make us happy 
here and hereafter. Since God is also our creator, we v/ould 
have him our Governor to command ; our Father to hear and 
answer us when we pray unto him ; our protector and our guide ; 
and his heavenly kingdom our everlasting home. 

Let us for a moment fancy ourselves awakened from the slum- 
bers of the night, and visited with the holy and sacred stillness 
of the Sabbath. We gather together the whole human family, 
good and bad, in one vast amphitheatre. The eye of the infinite 
Jehovah is fixed on every individual ; there is no corner, where 
any one can hide himself from the all-searching eye. Man is 
still and silent before his God ; he dare not think of labor or 
amusement, nor can he be indifferent. The cattle upon a thou- 
sand hills are at rest, and a death-like stillness pervades the uni- 
verse. 

While each eye is fixed on its Creator, each heart beats high 
with anxious hope or fear ; all are listening to hear, or behold- 
ing to admire ; meditating to improve and praise. Now they 
are addressed by Him, who has summoned them to attend, and 
all, saint and sinner, are commanded to hear and obey. 

Suppose all in this vast assembly to feel themselves under 
every possible obligation to obey the fourth commandment, in all 
its length and breadth — to do no work, but think on God and his 
wonderful work of creation, providence, and redemption — and to 
meditate on the object of probation, on heaven and hell, one of 
which as destined to be their eternal home, — to read his word, 
and religious devotional books, — and to attend on the services of 
the sanctuary. In this attitude, and under these circumstances, 
would any one dare turn off his eye or his mind, from the great 
Searcher of hearts, and say to his neighbor standing by. Sir, can 
you pay me that note ? Will you labor for me to-morrow ? Do 



CLOSING APPEAL. 285 

you intend to accompany us in the ride ? What is the news to- 
day ? Will you vote for D. and F. ? How do you like that per- 
son's dress ? What are the newest fashions ? The same search- 
ing eye is still fixed on every one standing in his presence. The 
Sabbath has not been kept holy unto the end of it. God has not 
dismissed one from his presence, and should a solitary individual 
be guilty of such daring impiety, what would be his doom ? If 
a man were so to lose all reverence, love, and fear of the charac- 
ter of God, while thus situated, what would he not do, when he 
is permitted to attend to the lawful concerns of this world, and 
feels that he is not so immediately in the presence and under the 
inspection of the Searcher of hearts ? 

He who can do this, without fear or remorse, is not afraid^ lite' 
rally ^ to break any of the ten commandments. If there is no 
probability of detection by man, and his interest and desires can 
be promoted by it, he will do it. Such a man may fear a fellow 
worm^ but " there is no fear of God before his eyes." We have 
long thought that the wanton and habitual Sabbath-breaker, if 
there were no danger of his being detected in wickedness, by man ; 
and if his character among men, and his property would not suf- 
fer, would be prepared for any crime. There are no terrors for 
him in the thunderings and lightnings of Sinai. 

It may be thought that we assume too high a tone. But if 
we begin to do little things on the Sabbath, such as walking our 
streets, roaming over our farms, attending unnecessarily to our 
flocks and herds ; stepping into the Postoffice, reading and writ- 
ing letters on business, perusing literary, historical, and political 
publications, thinking of our worldly business, doing errands, 
speakiog of fashions, customs, parties, amusements and the like, 
we shall gradually come to do more and more. We shall soon 
argue ourselves into the belief, that it is necessary, and innocent, 
to do many things on that day ; such as traveling for pleasure or 
on business, furnishing conveyances, and making our cattle work, 
and the stranger within our gates ; visiting, and bringing up our 
accounts ; opening and putting up our goods with closed doors, 
taking inventories, making out writs, filling up declarations; 
and thus shall we, by and by, wholly disregard the Sabbath. 

We called the former little things. May God pardon the im- 



286 THE SABBATH. 

piety. They are of sufficient magnitude, if habitually indulged, 
to call down the wrath and indignation of a holy God. The 
fourth commandment will be the test of our obedience. The 
Sabbath is a day that God claims for his service ; and self-grati- 
fication, or worldly gain are the only possible inducements men 
can have to profane it. Will it be taken for granted, that God 
can look with indifference upon such impious and high-handed 
rebellion ? We, sinful creatures, seek ow pleasure, and insult 
the Being who feeds and sustains us ; and who alone can make 
our blessings sources of real good to us ! What if we, by our la- 
bors, on that day, add a little more to our earthly possessions ? 
All we have, or can have, is the property of him in w^hose hand 
our breath is, and who has said, we must give account to him of 
our stewardship ; and he may say to us this night, " thou mayest 
be no longer steward." 

Ye who profane the Sabbath, little think that in no other way 
can your guilt accumulate so fast ; and by no other means can 
you make such rapid strides to hell. Go on a little longer, and 
your cup of wrath will be fall, to be poured upon you without 
mixture. A little more, and you will be wailing in the bottom- 
less pit. 

Oh, this day, this blessed day, must be kept holy. All, whether 
saint or sinner, need such a day ; we need the exercises which 
are appropriate to it, in view of those awful considerations, and 
realities, with which we must soon be familiar. 

The principal reason why bad men array themselves against 
this day, is, that they well know, if they can blot out the Sab- 
bath, the world will soon be without even the form of godliness. 
Their efforts against this day, arise from a deadly hostility to 
the religion of the Bible : and if they have any religion them- 
selves, it can be no better than that of the Mohammedan, or 
pagan ; and their morality, if they have any, is founded on, and 
measured by, the opinions and maxims of men. By their efforts, 
they would bind the poor in chains of ignorance, despotism, and 
moral death; rob our independence of its only mainspring, our 
nation of its sheet anchor, and this tempest- tost world of its last 
hope. 

Boasting infidel, no more provoke by your efforts to bring the 



CLOSING APPEAL. 287 

Sabbath into disrepute, the Almighty, unless the energies of 
your arm are sufficient to pluck down the stars, stop the sun in 
its course, and roll from their deep bed the firm foundations of 
Jehovah's empire. You, whose puny arm flags at the touch of 
an ague, whose eye is dimmed with the ravages of a few years, 
and whose heart quails at the lightnings flash, and the shrieks 
of the dymg, contending with the matchless Deity ! ! Boasting 
thyself to he somethings while jjerishing before the moth I Oh, 
madness and infatuation without a parallel. The greatest wis- 
dom of man is to know himself a man — a poor frail worm of 
the dust — and that the God of the Bible is the God of the 
universe. 

Ponder it well, that every man, who believes in the binding 
nature of the fourth commandment, whether a professor of re- 
ligion or not, if, in any way he profane the Sabbath, is helping 
to subvert our government, and introduce misrule ; he is under- 
mining the pillars which support all that is dear to the philan- 
thropist and the Christian. 



CHAPTER VL 

APPEAL IN BEHALF OF THE SABBATH. 

There are agents and periodicals to plead the cause of 
Bibles, Missions, Tracts, Education, Temperance, Sabbath 
Schools, Colonization, Abolition, Peace, Purity, &c. ; but where 
is the voice and where are the agents who plead the cause of 
the Sabbath, to which every good object owes its existence and 
support ? 

That such a day has been appointed for our observance, few 
if any sincere believers in divine revelation will deny; and that 
there are most weighty reasons why we should observe it, can- 
not be doubted, if we admit that God has a right to command 
us, and that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. It 
would seem impossible, for any man of common intelligence and 
moral honesty, to look back upon the history of our world, view 
the different conditions of the nations and people who have loved 
the Sabbath, and those who have not, without being convinced, 
not only of its utility but of the absolute necessity of such an in- 
stitution, in order to our comfort and highest prosperity. 

In the language of another, " I hold it to be an obvious and 
certain truth, that the chief means of forming men to a good 
character, is the due olservance of a Christian Sabbath ; and 
that without this all other means will fail. ^ ^ ^ While, on the 
other hand, every man who neglects to remember the Sabbath 
day to keep it holy, shows himself an enemy to the best inter- 
ests of his country. He stands guilty of casting contempt upon 
the most effectual means which infinite wisdom has provided 
for curing the madness of the passions, for checking vice, and 
preparing the human family for that quiet, pure and rational en- 
joyment, of which they are capable." 

The Sabbath was one of the two sacred institutions of Para- 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 289 

dise, which shows its importance in the divine arrangement, as 
well as its necessity for the benefit of man. The first entire day 
of man's existence was kept as a Sabbath. Adam was then in 
his innocence ; but he needed this holy rest, for the benefit of 
his soul. He had not then been doomed to earn his bread by the 
sweat of his brow. Still he needed a day of rest, for the benefit 
of his body. 

The fact that G-od commanded, not only that man and his 
household, but the heast^ which toils for his benefit, should rest 
one day in seven, and " be refreshed," shows that our animal 
nature is so constituted as to need more rest than can be enjoyed 
during the night season. In some countries there is little, in 
others, no night, for a long time. There, certainly, the poor 
laboring man and beast need the rest of the Sabbath. Even in 
this country, highly favored as we are in the division of our time, 
it is seen that the man who " remembers the Sabbath day to 
keep it holy," enjoys better health in body and mind, than the 
man who violates the law of his Maker. The horse or the ox, 
not allowed to rest one day in seven, cannot, in his natural life, 
accomplish as much labor as the one which is allowed to rest 
according to the divine command. For why should the rest of 
one day in seven be required for tJiem^ if the hours of the night 
are sufficient to refresh them ? It will not be pretended that 
they need the seventh day rest, to be improved either for intel- 
lectual or moral purposes. 

To toil on, regardless of this arrangement, shortens life and 
disqualifies us for vigorous action ; we lose property by it, pro- 
duce more suffering, and incur the divine displeasure. God 
knew what was best for man and beast ; and if we attempt to 
counteract the laws of our nature which he has ordained, and 
contemn his authority, we shall suffer the misery and the loss 
which such folly and presumption must unavoidably bring 
upon us. 

To desecrate the Sabbath then, is to invite temporal losses 
and sufferings, and expose the transgressor to everlasting per- 
dition. The man who dares profane the Sabbath, is sinning 
against his own soul andbody — against the soul and body of his 
fellow man—against the creatures God has made, and against 
25 



290 THE SABBATH. 

God himself, who will hold him accountable for all the evil he 
may occasion. 

MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL. 

We appeal to the watchmen standing upon the walls of 
Zion. To you, reverend and respected brethren, is committed 
the care of the Christian Church. You are to watch for souls. 
Christ's kmgdom has been set up in the world, and you are to 
see that it is established in every land. Every encouraging cir- 
cumstance, in the providence of G-od, that will aid this cause, 
you are to sieze on with avidity, and apply with untiring perse- 
verance. Every movement of the enemy, against this holy en- 
terprise, it is expected you will discover, and boldly, strenuously, 
and perseveringly, oppose. Watching, as you should, with in- 
tense interest and deep solicitude, all these movements, you may 
be responsible for the inroads which are made upon this king- 
dom, as well as for the extension and ultimate triumphs of 
righteousness and peace. 

When good is in prospect, you are to incite to conquest ; when 
danger threatens, you must sound the alarm. " We must ad- 
dress the conscience ; we must be bold in our appeal to the 
hearts of men ; we must assert all the authority and majesty of 
truth. The minister of religion must not shrink from his task 
on such a question ; he must cry aloud and spare not ; he must 
show the people of God ' their transgression, and the house of 
Jacob, their sin.' " The man who will hold his peace when the 
church, or any of the sacred institutions of our religion is in 
danger, is incurring great guilt, and may suffer with the wicked. 

There are now many evils abroad in the land. The enemy has 
taken the field, unsheathed his sword, and begun the work of 
death. His forces are strong — his attacks various — his plans 
wily. Your eye cannot fail to see his onward march, and the 
wide-spread desolations of his footsteps. Your ear must hear 
the groans of the wounded, and the prayer of the righteous. 
But, whenever there is greater danger from one source than 
another, you must raise your " voice like a trumpef^ Has not 
that time arrived ? A powerful, systematic, and simultaneous 
effort is making by the forces of the ungodly, to blot out the 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 291 

Christian Sabbath, and thereby, with one stroke, exterminate the 
whole system of revealed religion. They are not too blind to 
know, that should they succeed, their most sanguine expecta- 
tions will be realized. 

It is an admitted fact, that while righteousness exalteth a 
nation, " the Sabbath is the chief organ of its administration ; 
the main-spring of all moral movements ; the great center of 
attraction, and formation of illumination to the moral world." 

It lies at the foundation of the world's conversion unto God. 
For of what avail will it be that an atonement has been made, 
and a way of life proclaimed in the gospel, if we are to have no 
ministers of that gospel, and no day set apart on which to as- 
semble and receive its consoling and sanctifying influences? 
Surely the Sabbath is the conservator of the Bible and its 
blessed privileges ; and through them, the palladium of our 
liberties. 

Who of you, in your sacred employments, would long survive 
the obliteration of the Sabbath ? How long would it be, before 
our churches would be demolished, or consecrated to the service 
of Baal ? How long before Christian assemblies would be 
known only in the history of ages gone by ? How long before 
we, or our descendants, like the heathen philosophers of old, the 
barbarous Arab, the besotted Hottentot, should be groping our 
way to the grave, beyond which, all would be " dark uncer- 
tainty ?" How long before we, or those who come after us, 
should fall down before a Juggernaut — sacrifice to devils — offer 
upon a bloody altar human sacrifices — roll in filth and wallow in 
pollution — settle down in ignorance, and forget that we were 
once elevated almost to heaven in privileges ; but now are fall- 
en, because we remembered not " the Sabbath day to keep 
it holy ?" 

Is there no reason to fear that the Sabbath ivill be blotted out, 
and that all these evils will come upon us ? Let us for a mo- 
ment look at facts, and then answer this important question. 

Many oi your number violate the sacredness of this day by 
traveling from parish to parish, or by journeys on canals, in 
stages, steamboats, and cars. Oh, if the watchmen continue to 



292 THE SABBATH. 

add their example to encourage this sin, where will the evil 
end ? 

There are hundreds and thousands in our land, professors of 
the religion of Jesus Christ, who have covenanted to keep his 
commandments, and yet are often guilty of breaking the fourth, 
by traveling, by unnecessary labor and worldly conversation. 
Such cases are far more numerous, than many are aware of. 
Professing Christians also, hold stock, and some even are di- 
rectors, in Sabbath-breaking establishments. Others of them go 
or send to the Post-office, indulge in secular reading, keep a man 
to distribute milk on that, as well as on other days of the week. 
While this state of things exists in the church, have we not 
reason to fear that the sin will continue and increase, till the 
Sabbath is forgotten, or remembered only as a day of amuse- 
ment and dissipation ? 

Our National Legislature does not suitably regard the 
Sabbath, but constantly and impiously causes it to be profaned, 
and encourages in its profanation not less than sixty or eighty 
thousand of her constituents, including those employed in the 
Postoffice departments, those who carry the mail, and those who 
visit Postoffices on that day. More than this, thousands of 
others quote the example of this Legislature, as a justification 
for traveling, boating, and almost all other kinds of Sabbath- 
breaking. It is high authority. From the President and the 
Speaker, down to the lowest officer in that assembly, with few 
exceptions, they desecrate this holy day ; and is this the way by 
which we shall become that happy people whose God is the 
Lord ? Is not this cause for alarm ? 

In the arrangement of our judicial proceedings, in many of 
our circuits, judges and lawyers are compelled to travel from 
county to county on the Lord's day, or the courts are not opened 
in season, and the interests of the client are neglected. What 
would such judges do with the man who should be arraigned 
for contempt of the Sabbath ? Who would try him ? Who 
would condemn him ? Who would punish him ? Not one. 
Our laws, in respect to the observance of that day, have become 
almost, if not altogether, a dead letter. 

Our public conveyances, our transporting companies, and 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 293 

some of our manufacturing establishments, continue their busi- 
ness on the Sabbath. No man can engage in them, unless he 
first consents to array himself against God, help to open the 
flood-gates of iniquity, and deluge the world with ignorance, 
crime, and moral death. 

But all the business of this kind, which is already very con- 
siderable, and daily increasing, with the increasing number of 
our canals, railroads, steamboats, navigable rivers, and national 
roads, is in the hands of those whom some of our ministers, 
many professing Christians, our national legislature, jurists, and 
council, are daily encouraging in their desecration of the Sab- 
bath. Do these things afford no just ground of alarm? 

Now look upon the laboring class of the community, which is 
most affected by this wicked and unjust demand upon its ser- 
vices. Many of them are poor and ignorant — orphans — friend- 
less. They need a day of rest — they need instruction — they 
need the consolations of the gospel — they need a watchman — a 
guide. But, alas ! in the present state of public feeling, they 
can enjoy none of these things. The stage driver, the coach- 
man, the carman, the boatman, the porter, the steward, the 
cook, the milkman, the ostler, the washer- woman, the barber, 
the boot-black, and many others, must toil seven days for the 
wages of six. Aside from the injustice done to these ten or 
twelve hundred thousand immortal beings, are there no evils to 
be feared from their influence, scattered, as they are, over all the 
land, and in every school of vice, on the rising generation, and 
at the polls, when they, having so long been away from the 
care and protection of the virtuous, and deprived of their own 
rights, will care little for the rights and welfare of others ? Oh, 
there is a cloud gathering, charged with indescribable calami- 
ties, and ready to burst upon this guilty nation. " I tremble," 
said Jefferson, " when I remember that God is just." 

Look once more upon our great thoroughfares: see the thou- 
sands and hundreds of thousands of gentlemen and ladies travel- 
ing on Sunday. The boats, stages, and cars, all move forward, 
and the crowd pass on with them. See sailors and boatmen by 
scores, and within a few rods of a chapel erected for their reli- 
gious improvement, obliged to labor all the day, while they are 
2^^ 



294 THE SABBATH. 

famishing for the bread of life. See merchants, mechanics, and 
professional men, beginning to open their shops and offices ; and 
agriculturists to cultivate their fields on Sunday; the sports- 
man, too, with his dog and gun in the field, and tell us, to what 
will these things grow, if suffered to pass unrebuked ? Tell us, 
is there no cause of alarm ? 

But we will not pursue this train of thought. Watchman ! 
" What think you of the night ?" It appears to us, danger is 
ahead — that we hear the funeral dirge of our liberties, of our re- 
ligion, and of our glory. But if you discover no such danger, 
can hear nothing which excites alarm, this nation will dream on 
in sin ; its death-like slumbers can never be broken by our feeble 
voice ; and, before the grave closes on this generation, will it 
not have entombed all the hopes of the philanthropist, the pa- 
triot, and the Christian ? Let us now ask, what will you do ? 
You have a voice which can be heard through this whole na- 
tion, and over all Christendom. Would you, each and all of you, 
now imitate the example of Nehemiah on this subject, and, like 
him, show to all men that you are in earnest about your Mas- 
ter's business — that his law must be heard, and must be obeyed, 
God would bless your efforts, men ivould hear, believe, tremble, 
and obey. The truth of God is mighty — wickedness cannot 
stand before it. The devil has not the effrontery to stand and 
dispute a single truth coming from an humble, bold, unoffending 
servant of the Most High ! 

If this sentiment be correct, and the desirable reformation be 
not effected, then where lies the guilt ? In whose skirts will the 
blood of souls be found ? The watchmen are slumbering, with 
the church, and the world. 0, what responsibility ! Sooner 
than occupy your place in the church, unless awake to this des- 
olating evil, and putting forth all our energies to remove it, we 
would bend over the mouth of a volcano, or step into the jaws 
of a crocodile. 

Let all the ministers of Christ now engage against this blight- 
ing upas — this hydra monster, which is rushing over our land, 
carrying before it all that is fair and hopeful, and we should soon 
witness the triumphs of the Sabbath reform, which would give 
a new impulse to all our moral reforms, and establish on a 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 295 

broader and firmer foundation, those institutions which have for 
their object the dissemination of truth, the comfort and eleva- 
tion of the wretched, and the conversion of the world. If only 
ten men would take hold of this subject, as did Nehemiah, it 
would certainly succeed. The evil can be remedied — the deluge 
can and must be stayed. It is practicable — and it is safe to em- 
bark in the undertaking. 

There is now no longer any doubt where the evil of Sabbath- 
breaking originates. It is with business-men — the merchant, 
the manufacturer, and the traveling gentleman. These men 
create the demand for stage, boat, and canal labor. 

No good man, when he views this subject in its true light, it 
is believed, will oppose an entire cessation of worldly business 
on the Lord's day — although the enemy of the Bible, of his 
country, and of our race, may. 

PRIVATE CHRISTIANS. 

We appeal also to every private Christian, high or low, rich 
or poor. You stand on an eminence ; the world is gazing upon 
you ; the example you set will not only tell on your own cha- 
racter and destiny, but on the character and destiny of unborn 
ages. 

Perhaps you may think you will not be known as a Christian, 
when traveling from home ; and your influence will not be very 
deleterious. But this is a mistake. You will be known as a 
Christian, if you act consistently; and if you are not known in 
this character, you will, in all probability, be known as a hy- 
pocrite. 

Professors, when traveling far from home, with little money, 
are in the habit of saying, " I must travel on the Sabbath ; I 
have a family at home ; I fear they are sick, and need my coun- 
sel and assistance." But, dear friends, remember, these are ad- 
ditional reasons why you should not disobey God. If you had 
what would buy you earthly friends, you might think you could 
do a little longer without the assistance and friendship of God. 
Who is it that gives you your money, your friends, and all your 
enjoyments ? You will say, God. We ask, then, is it wise, 
when your means are slender, and when you most need His aid. 



296 THE SABBATH. 

to disobey Him, and cast Him ofF? But it is wise and safe, at 
all times, in all places, and under all circumstances, to obey 
God; and he tells you to "remember the Sabbath day to keep 
it holy." 

You are bound, not only to keep the Sabbath yourself, but to do 
all in your power to have your household, and the stranger within 
your gates, observe and sanctify it. Pursue the course marked 
out by Nehemiah. Observe with what strictness the Jews were 
commanded to keep holy time. Some of you have more and 
some less influence in the church, and over your acquaintance ; 
and you are all held responsible for the best direction of that 
influence. Let love to souls and to Jesus Christ prompt you to 
come to the help of this cause. 

You, who are business men, can do much, and there is now a 
call for your best efforts. Officers in the church, and those who 
fill places of honor and trust, can do much for their Master. 

Editors of religious periodicals are placed in circumstances 
peculiarly responsible. Their influence is felt throughout Chris- 
tendom. It is equal to that of those who serve at the altar, if 
not greater. They can contribute as much toward forming a 
correct public conscience, as any other class of men. Let them, 
then, with their united voice and manly energies, espouse this 
cause, and the herculean task will 'easily be performed. It is 
confidently hoped that such assistance will be promptly and ef- 
ficiently rendered ; and that every such paper will teem with 
facts, and expostulate with a power, which will awaken, and 
cannot be resisted. 

CHURCHES. 

To the churches of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we 
would say, when you see a Christian brother traveling, or 
doing worldly business on Sunday, expostulate with him ; and if 
he do not give you satisfaction, report him to the church to 
which he belongs. 

It is believed that the church, to an alarming extent, encoura- 
ges the desecration of this day of rest, by doing those works 
and allowing those practices which are forbidden, displeasing to 
God, and blighting and deadly in their influence on all our social, 



I 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 297 

civil, and religious interests. The apostle Peter tells us, that judg- 
ment must begin at the house of God. If this be so, is it not 
important that they immediately confess and forsake their sins ? 
How cheering the return and remembrance of holy time — adapt- 
ed to awaken heavenly contemplations, hearty thanksgivings, and 
holy aspirations. Then why should we lose these benefits, by 
wantonly profaning its sacred hours ? 

PHILANTHROPISTS. 

We did intend in this place, to give a few sketches of an- 
cient and modern history ; that at one view we might look on 
the different conditions of men, under different religious opin- 
ions, and see that a belief in the doctrines of the Bible has led 
to the great difference between nations, communities and individ- 
uals. 

But we shall only allude to a few uistances, and leave the 
reader's mind to supply the defect. Contrast the character of 
the little community which sailed over the flood, from the old 
to the new world, with the character of those who perished in 
the waters ; also the character of the Sodomites with that of 
Abraham and Lot ; the idolatrous Gentile nations with the Jews ; 
Christians with Mohammedan and heathen nations. 

Look at all the ignorance, bigotry, idolatry, bloody rites, des- 
potism, crime, pollution, sloth, degradation, suffering, and despair, 
which have settled down on those nations and people that have 
forgotten God, and kept not his Sabbaths. Then look at the 
obedient, confiding believer in the one living and true God. 

Let your eye follow the line of devoted disciples of Christ 
down to the present time. See them going about preaching 
Christ and him crucified ; contented and happy, but for the hard- 
ness, obduracy, and continued rebellion of their hearers. Look 
through " the bleak recesses of the Alps," and see the industri- 
ous, moral, and pious Waldenses, peacefully inhabiting their 
beautiful villages and hamlets. See the intelligence, wealth, 
and comfort of other parts of Europe ; the unparalleled enterprise, 
prosperity, philanthropy, and benevolence of these United States ; 
the great commercial cities, villages, towns, canals, rail-roads, 
public high-ways, and manufactories of both continents; the 



298 THE SABBATH. 

arts and sciences in a high state of perfection ; the simplicity 
and firmness of republican governments ; and monarchy coming 
down from her supreme selfishness, to care for the interests of 
the people — all, the legitimate effect of the influence of the 
gospel. 

From this delightful view, go with us into Asia. Stand by 
the funeral pile, behold the Ganges, and Juggernaut ; pass into 
the " Celestial Empire." What were Confucianism and Tahoo- 
ism doing centuries before the coming of Christ ? What has 
Boodhism done during these almost eighteen hundred years ? 
Here, it is true, you may see large and populous cities, and once 
splendid edifices ; but dilapidation and decay, in language which 
cannot be misunderstood, are foretelling their total destruction, 
without the speedy interposition of some other religion. Here 
may also be seen huge walls, extensive canals ; but who carries 
on her commerce with foreign nations ? Where is her enlight- 
ened patriotism, her benevolence, her mechanical enterprise, her 
philanthropy, her morality, her industry, her gratitude, her so- 
cial, friendly intercourse with other nations ? We speak of them 
as a people. In Siberia, Arabia, and the islands of the South 
Sea, may also be witnessed the deleterious results of the absence 
of the Sabbath and the Christian religion. 

The picture in Africa is no better, but in many respects worse. 
There the cannibal, the far-fallen, degraded, filthy Hottentot ; the 
unsuspecting, ignorant Negro ; all alike are without God and 
without hope in the world. Little but desolation and misery is 
seen, over all their territories. Many of them are houseless, 
homeless, naked, starving ; because they have none of the pro- 
mises and threatenings of the gospel to stimulate them to industry, 
morality, and piety. How was it in the islands of the Pacific, 
before our missionaries went among them. Darkness, ignorance, 
superstition, and idolatry prevailed among them also. It is said 
of the Washington Islands, " they are a perfect brothel ; the ges- 
tures the men practice," before American and European ladies, 
"are truly shocking ; and wherever we have met native females, 
they have most unblushingly offered themselves for pollution." 

Some of the tribes of Indians west of the Rocky Mountains, it is 
said, are still more degraded in this respect. Though their daugh- 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 299 

ters are universally and unreservedly doomed to satisfy the unbri- 
dled propensities of the young men, to prevent adultery, still the 
male and the female, the married and the unmarried, in the indul- 
gence of their lust, are more brutish and unnatural, than were the 
inhabitants of Sodom. Idolatry, in all these places, has grown 
old ; and many of her votaries have become or are becoming 
weary of its exorbitant demands. 

Why all this poverty, ignorance, wretchedness, degradation, 
sloth, unkindness, licentiousness, crime, dilapidation, promiscu- 
ous ruin, and death, if the opposite results exist only under the 
influence of the religion of the G-od we worship ? Why so much 
misery and human wo among the devotees of paganism, and 
Mohammedanism, if the influence of their Shasters and the Ko- 
ran is as salutary as that of the Bible and the Christian religion ? 
But it is folly to pretend that the influence of the one is as good 
as that of the other. " A tree is known by its fruit." It is known 
that the religion of the Bible alone^ brings life and immortality 
to light — causes light to spring out of darkness, and order out 
of confusion — introduces peace and comfort ; intelligence and 
wealth ; cleanliness and virtue ; morality and rational expecta- 
tion of future blessedness — raises the brutish man to the dignity 
of his nature — dethrones the despot — breaks the chains of the 
enslaved — relieves the sufi*ering and the distressed — instructs the 
ignorant — soothes the disconsolate, and wipes the tear of sorrow 
from the cheek of the widow and the orphan. It is this religion 
only, that can prepare man for life, for death, and for the judg- 
ment — guide and direct him safely through this vale of tears — 
comfort him in his departing moments, and procure for him a 
seat among the blessed. But those privileges and consolations 
cannot be secured and perpetuated, nor can the opposite evils be 
avoided, without the aid of the Sabbath. As well might we ex. 
pect the pendulum of a clock, or the balance-wheel of a watch, 
to move without a propelling power ; or to enjoy the light of 
day, if all the luminaries of heaven were extinguished ; as that 
the religion of the Bible will be promulgated to all people, and 
be adopted by all men ; and render happy the whole human fam. 
ily, without the benign and salutary influence of this institution. 
Let go the Sabbath, and with it will perish all our hopes of fu- 



300 THE SABBATH. 

ture blessedness, as a nation, as communities, and as individuals. 
Surely theR the phila7ithropist has a deep and lasting interest 
in securing the better observance of this day of rest. 

To HUSBANDS, FATHERS, AKD BROTHERS, this subject commends 
itself. Would you have the marriage covenant maintained in- 
violate ? Do you value chastity, sobriety, intelligence, industry, 
cleanliness, and domestic enjoyment ? Would you have your 
wives, your daughters, your sisters, virtuous, amiable, "lovely, 
and of good report;" skilled in all the useful branches of domes- 
tic economy, and education ? Would you have them like the 
pious Hannah, Lady Jane G-rey, Elizabeth Rowe, Harriet New- 
ell, Hannah More, Mrs. Winslow, instead of " the blood-stained 
Semiramis, the wanton Cleopatra, Russia's flagitious Catharine," 
Fanny Wright ; the ignorant, degraded female of India, of the 
Washington Islands, or the female that roams over the western 
forests ? Then do all you can to sustain the influence of the 
Sabbath. 

Wives, daughters, sisters, if you would not be the slaves of 
idle, dissipated, unfeeling men : if you would not be made to 
toil and drudge for an ignorant, lordly, besotted husband ; pre- 
pare his meals from the corn of your own raising, the fish of 
yeur own taking, cooked by the fire of your own kindling ; and 
then sit by in silence till he has been served, when you may go 
and partake of the fragments ; if you would not be subject to his 
chastising rod, to contempt and scorn, to degradation and sorrow 
through his life, and then burn on his funeral pile ; if you would 
prefer a pious Abraham, Daniel, Paul, Hale, Baxter, Howard, 
Mills, Payson, to an envious, blood-thirsty Cain, the haughty 
Nebuchadnezzar, the hard-hearted Pharaoh, the impious Herod, 
Nero, Voltaire, Paine, Robespierre, or the inhuman cannibal; if 
you would not be put in circumstances, where you would con- 
sider it not only a duty, but a virtue, to take the life of your in- 
fant, throw away your chastity, submit to all the horrors of pa- 
ganism, and to death itself, without the hope of immortality ; if 
you would not exchange your intelligence, your virtue, 3^our do- 
mestic firesides, your social and religious circles, the kindness 
and respect shown to your sex ; the joy and hope which the 
Gospel inspires, and all which so highly distinguishes you above 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 301 

your sex where the Gospel is not known ; we beseech you, come 
without delay ^ and lend your efficient influence to do away the 
sin of Sabbath-breaking. You owe all your elevation of charac- 
ter, all your comforts here, and hopes of bliss hereafter, to the 
holy influence of the Bible. And can you remain indifferent, in 
a struggle to maintain and defend the pillar on which it rests ? 
We do not believe you can. You would not, if you could. Your 
influence is salutary. When rightly put forth, it is sovereign. 
Give us then this influence, and you, and your sex after you, 
shall still be intelligent, free, and happy. 

NATIONAL LEGISLATUKE. 

Though we do not expect our national legislature to enact laws 
to enforce the observance of the Sabbath, yet we do expect, and 
have a right to expect, that they will 'prevent the enactment of 
any law, which shall prejudice the rights and jeopard the inter- 
ests of this great nation. 

But as a national body, convened to manage and control the 
civil and political concerns of this growing republic, they have 
made a law^ in relation to the Postoffice Department, the adoption 
of which was a public denial of the right of Jehovah to command 
us to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ; and an in- 
fringement on the rights of every man who would obey God 
rather than any subordinate power. By this act, that body is 
not only sinning against a large, respectable, and efficient part of 
this republic, but they are sinning against their own souls — 
against, indeed, the whole people for whom they legislate, and 
against high Heaven. It should never be forgotten that God 
punishes, and blesses nations and communities, in this life, ac- 
cording as they obey or disobey Him. Though this is not a 
state of retribution for individuals^ it is fox nations and cominuni- 
ties. By this wicked and infidel act, we have had our Sabbath 
voted away, and God is frowning upon us. 

What then shall we do ? What will the result of all this be ? 
Read the history of modern France, introducing her decades, and 
of other nations who have dared to disregard the Sabbath, and 
learn the true answer to these inquiries. By the enactment of 
this unrighteous law, we are exposed to numberless and fearful 
2Q 



302 THE SABBATH. 

evils. It retards the progress of light, life, and truth ; is hedg- 
ing up the way for the spread of the Gospel and the enlarge- 
ment of the kingdom of Christ ; and will God be silent and in- 
active with such an obstacle in the way of the advancement of 
his cause ? This law is also injuring from sixty to eighty thou- 
sand individuals, who are tempted, or compelled, to labor on 
Sunday. It takes away from them the bread of life. Much of 
this labor is performed by poor people, orphans, who need em- 
ployment, without which they would suffer for the necessaries of 
life ; and this class, most need the instruction communicated on 
the Sabbath in the house of God. But how many of them, men 
and boys, are living in ignorance and crime, preparing to vote 
away our rights and property ; to pilfer, lie, gamble, and mur- 
der — and ripening for the employments and sufferings of the lost ! 
Boatmen and carmen, have been encouraged to tread the Sab- 
bath under their feet, and say " the nation justifies us in the act ;" 
and who can tell the amount of pestilential influence arising 
from these channels of sin and pollution ? In the cold season, 
they go back to the places of their nativity, or elsewhere, con- 
taminating fthe very atmosphere in which they move. Who 
must answer for all this guilt and crime ? 

Here is an evil which has been done, and if the present mem- 
bers of Congress say " it was done by our predecessors," the fact 
is admitted, but you have sanctioned and encouraged it by not 
repealing the law requiring the profanation of the Sabbath. For 
since it required a national act to introduce it, it requires a na- 
tional act to abolish it. This nation is to decide whether she will 
have a Sabbath or not. If we are to have a Salhath^ we must re- 
peal that law. While the law is in force, Sabbath-breaking will 
continue and increase : and are we prepared to say, we will not 
repeal it ? — that we cannot do without a Sunday mail ? One of 
two things we shall be compelled to do, either give up Sun- 
day mails, Sunday stages and cars, or give up the Sabbath. Both 
cannot be sustained among us. 

Before we become a nation of infidels, let us pause and count 
the cost; and remember, that God holds us by his omnipotent 
hand, and will call us to account ; our unbelief and our contempt 
of his authority, our intelligence, honors, titles, riches, power, 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 303 

and extensive resources, to the contrary notwithstanding. At 
his bar we must appear, by his law we must be judged, and not 
by the worldly rules of convenience and profit, or by our notion 
of necessity. God has said " remember the Sabbath day to keep 
it holy," and this nation ought to hear his voice and obey it — 
obey it now. Infidels may oppose, as they oppose the spread of 
the Gospel, and so long as they can see the Sabbath desecrated 
by a people^ by a nation^ they know they have little to fear from 
the influence of our religion. 

STATE LEGISLATURES. 

Our State legislatures are also interested in this matter. Many 
of them, every Lord's day, are receiving money from canal and 
railroad tolls. This ought not to be. The old adage, " the par- 
taker is as bad as the thief," applies a little too closely to this 
practice, to be countenanced by those who take the Bible for 
their guide. It seems too much like selling a man the right 
to poison his neighbors, with rum, brandy, and whisky — ^giving 
him a license, /or money ^ to do what God will not allow him to 
do ; and which, but for this license, he would not dare do. Our 
legislatures ought to close every lock on all their canals ; their 
custom-house offices, their other public offices — stop railcars and 
other works under their control during the Lord's day, and in no 
way aid, or countenance Sabbath-breaking. 

They are authorized and expected to enact laws to secure the 
safety of our property, the rights of individuals, and the benefit of 
all concerned. 

It is presumed that it will not be pretended by any enlighten- 
ed and good man, that there is a necessity for violating the Sab- 
bath, by boating, staging, mail-carrying, and the like. Any 
practice, the natural tendency of which is to endanger our insti- 
tutions, lead to ignorance and crime, and call down upon us the 
judgments of heaven, should be forbidden ; and no legislator, 
that does not watch every encroachment upon our rights, with 
a jealous, impartial eye, is doing his duty. To them we have 
confided the interests of our several States ; — we expect them to 
watch over these interests, and protect them in all their varied 
' branches ; and hand down, unimpaired, to the generation that 



304 THE SABBATH. 

shall follow us, the precious legacy of a pure code of morals and 
politics, which we now enjoy ; accompanied with an untarnished 
reputation. We are not pleading for the enactment of new 
laws, to suppress this sin, for the laws we now have far its sup- 
pression, though in themselves good, and perhaps sufficient, are 
a dead letter ; broken, as it were, by common consent, both by 
judges and jurors, governors and governed. In England, as well 
as in this country, public conscience has once been right on this 
subject, as may be seen in their various acts of legislation. But 
alas I where now is that conscience ? Many say we ought to 
have no law against Sabbath-breaking. But God did not think 
so. He made one code of laws for his people, and that code 
was suitable for all purposes. The best, wisest, and greatest 
men that ever lived — statesmen, jurists, and legislators, have not 
thought so, but have added their authority to the authority of 
God, if by any means they might prevent the commission of 
crimes, which would unavoidably bring down upon them tem- 
poral, as well as spiritual judgments. Should not the subject of 
a government be prohibited from doing what would not only 
prevent his being a good subject, but bring immense evil upon 
the community ? Who should guard our rights, if our legisla- 
tors are not to do it ? Surely it is their province, and their duty, 
too, to do it. 

It can easily be shown, to a candid, reflecting mind, that the 
Sabbath is indispensable to national prosperity. Communities 
have always been blessed or cursed, nearly in exact proportion, 
as they have regarded or disregarded the divine arrangement in 
relation to the Sabbath. Individuals, even, are often made 
monuments of God's displeasure, on account of their participa- 
tion in this sin. And let it ever be remembered, no man, or body 
of men, can desecrate that day without incurring great guilt. 

Legislators, at the present day, are as much bound to protect 
and defend our literary a,nd moral institutions, which tend to our 
present as well as future prosperity, as were legislators in the 
days of Moses, Joshua, David, and Daniel. We cannot see how 
it is, that legislators have nothmg to do with moral institutions, 
or the Bible, since all valuable legislation is founded on the laws 
of the Bible. Legislate in accordance with any thing else, and 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 305 

contrary to the Bible, and in a little time legislation will be as 
useless as gossiper to a drowning man, or a falling edifice. That 
code of laws which will contribute most to the peace and pros- 
perity of a nation, is all the church needs, and all that God re- 
quires for her, or for himself Why, then, should Christian 
nations refuse to own their allegiance and their amenability to 
the King of Heaven ? Why refuse to say, men must obey God, 
if they would be happy, and all our laws shall aim at that de- 
sirable end ? Is it not because they hate God, and are ashamed 
to go to Him for instruction ? 

Perhaps some may say, you would " unite Church and State ;" 
but only fools, the devil, and his emissaries, would have them 
united, as the charge implies ; for, thus united^ the Church falls ; 
separated, the State falls. But properly united and separated, 
they stand and flourish together. Separate the Church from the 
State, in all her influence, and by going to pagan lands, you may 
see in what condition such a State would be. Unite Church and 
State, and Europe can tell many tales of sorrow, scenes of dis- 
cord and bloodshed, which have occurred in consequence of it. 
Unite and separate them, as it should be done, and the early 
history of the Jews, and of this country, can show you the pros- 
perity, advancement, and glory of both. But since we have 
changed our course^ our councils have been distracted. Wicked, 
designing demagogues have been raised to places of trust and 
power, and God is frowning upon us. 

As immorality increases, dissipation, idleness, prodigality, and 
debauchery, as natural results, increase ; men neglect their busi- 
ness—have little or no stimulus to energetic, self-denying effort, 
and useful enterprise. The man compelled to labor, or allowed 
to trifle on the Sabbath, is training up for any thing, rather than 
a good citizen, and a benefactor of his race. 

FRIENDS OF LIBERTY AND OF FREE INSTITUTIONS, 

Will find a most deadly foe in the sin of Sabbath-breaking. 
We might as well dream, and talk of the perpetuity of liberty^ 
of free and benevolent institutions, among the wild, wandering 
Arabs, as among a people who will not reverence the Sabbath. 
Civil liberty, ardent piety, and Christian privilege, are too close- 
26^ 



306 THE SABBATH. 

ly allied ever to be separated. The one cannot long be che- 
rished without the other. When a nation bids farewell to one, 
the other soon follows, as a matter of course. 

Kform of religion, or an established national religion, under a 
monarchy, may exist, where civil liberty does not, but this does 
not affect the remark just made. 

Wherever active, ardent piety, such as is approved of God, is 
controlling the feelings of a whole nation, or the majority, that 
nation cannot long be governed by a haughty despot. The reli- 
gion of the Bible inculcates love, equality, kindness, righteous 
conduct toward all men ; and just so far as this spirit prevails, 
so far will civil liberty and free institutions flourish ; and here 
again, let it be remarked, that the Sabbath lies at the founda- 
tion of all these blessings. Should not this class of men, then, 
exert all their influence in procuring^ for this day, all that reve- 
rence and regard which God has demanded for it ? 

FRIENDS OF GOOD ORDER, 

Are also deeply interested in the question under consideration. 
If the Christian religion cannot be propagated and sustained 
without the Sabbath, then it is important, in order to our per- 
sonal safety, and the safety of our property^ and of all we hold 
dear in this life, that we awake to the salvation of this institu- 
tion. Where there is no Sabbath, no Bible, and nothing better 
than the misnamed morality of men, to govern and direct this 
fallen, degraded race, it is certain that the will of every man, or 
of one man, is the supreme law ; and the tomahawk, the dirk, 
the bludgeon, powder and ball, are its executioners. War, theft, 
rapine, and murder, follow in their train ; and the strongest takes 
what he can find, and keeps all he can get, till a stronger or more 
artful than he comes upon him, and despoils him of his plun- 
dered possessions. We need but little acquaintance with the 
history of past ages, to know the truth of these remarks. 

Then, how much we owe to the influence of the Sabbath ! 
All our peace and comfort, and the safety of our lives and pro- 
perty. Shall we willingly suffer this blessed and amply suffi- 
cient safeguard of all that is dear to us, to be wrested from our 
hands without an effort to preserve and perpetuate it ? 



I 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 307 



BUSINESS-IVIEN, MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, TRAVELING GENTLE- 
MEN, kc. 

It appears, on examination, that business-men, merchants, 
mechanics, manufacturers, and traveling gentlemen, are the 
great mainspring of all the Sabbath-breaking on our canals, rail 
and stage roads, in our Postoffices, and harbors, &c. &:c. 

But who are these, that are the mainspring of so much evil ? 
They, as a body, are the wealthy, the respectable, the intelli- 
gent, the industrious, the moral, the influential, the trusty, the 
praiseworthy — the business men of this nation. They build our 
churches, educate, hire, and support our ministers ; print Bibles 
and tracts ; send missionaries to the heathen ; collect and sus- 
tain Sabbath schools ;' assemble on God's holy day, with their 
families, and listen to the words of eternal life ; and some of 
them sit around the communion table, and weep, when they 
think of the scenes of Calvary, and of a world lying in wicked- 
ness. We speak of these men as a body, for there are excep- 
tions. If these men are the mainspring of Sabbath-breaking, 
will any one say that the evil cannot be removed ? That, if 
they should be convinced that the course they are pursuing puts 
the Sabbath-breaker in motion, or that their right influence 
would lead all men to rest on the Lord's day, they cannot be 
prevailed on to confess their faults, and retrace their steps? 
Yes, they can be convinced, and they can be prevailed on to 
change their course, and Sabbath-breaking can be done away in 
our land. 

Let us look at facts, and see whether these men are in fault, 
and who are responsible in this matter. In the first place it 
may be asked, would there have been any canals, rail-roads, 
stage-routes, mail contracts, steam navigation, ship navigation, 
iron foundries, and the like, had this class of persons never ex- 
isted ; and since these valuable improvements have been made, 
if all these men would say, none of our business shall be done 
on the Lord's day, would there be a Sunday mail, Sunday-travel- 
ing steamboats, packet-boats, line-boats, cars, stages, or any ha- 
bitual Sabbath-breaking establishment ? Surely not, for it is on 



308 THE SAEEATH. 

account of these business men mostly, that we need a mail, and 
those facilities for traveling and transportation. 

All the stagemen, boatmen, carmen, and sailors, are in their 
employ ; by them they are set at work, from them they receive 
their wages, and but for them, they would stop their stages^ 
boats, cars, &c. Should these business men address those in 
their employ, and say. We wish you for the future to make such 
arrangements in regard to our business as will in no way inter- 
fere with the Sabbath ; we will not have our letters, our mer- 
chandise transported on that day ; we will not labor, or travel 
ourselves ; you may go on in the business as heretofore, except 
carrying our goods and letters on Sunday ; we shall pay you 
the same wages ; you may do the work still ; would any of 
them demur and continue their Sabbath labor ? 

But, as all these business men are not possessed of that Bible 
morality which might lead them unanimously to fall in with 
this arrangement, how shall this kind of Sabbath-breaking be 
abolished, and how does it appear that they are responsible for 
the better observance of the Sabbath ? There is a sufficient 
number in that class who love the Sabbath, to effect a change, 
if they would use their influence ; and if they withhold that in- 
fluence, they must be responsible. 

But what are the objections to an entire cessation of business 
on Sunday ? And who would object ? The merchant could 
make no reasonable objections, for his goods would be received 
as soon as his neighbors. The proprietors of forwarding lines 
and stages, could lose nothing by the arrangement ; but, in the 
renewed strength and vigor of their men and beasts of burden, 
would be great gainers. Captains of boats would lose nothing, 
for their wages would be the same ; if there should be an addi- 
tional expense in boarding passengers, there must be an addi- 
tional charge. Common laborers in the boating or staging bu- 
siness would not complain, for rest is what they need, as often 
as the Sabbath returns. Then they could repair to the Sunday 
school, the Bethel, the chapel, and add a new lustre to their 
intellectual and moral character; and live in the enjoyment of 
those privileges, without which, (the rest of the community en- 
joying them,) they must sink to degradation and wo, while 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 309 

Others rise to respectability and happiness. The innkeeper will 
not complain, for while he furnishes his guest with a comforta- 
ble repast on that day, he and his family can rest, attend public 
worship, and on Monday, receive a fair compensation for trouble 
and supplies. If any class of the community complain, it will 
be the traveling class ; for it will cost the traveler an extra ta- 
vern bill, and perhaps some will say, the loss of one day in seven. 
But it should be remembered that the farmer and mechanic, 
when they rest from their labors, lose one day in seven, if it be 
a loss, and why should the traveler, the boatman, and stageman, 
have a right to more time than the farmer and mechanic ? They 
board their hands, and lose their lahor^ when laborers work for 
them by the month or the year, as many of them do. 

But it is not right to call that day lost, when spent in its ap- 
propriate way, to prepare for heaven. "Whose is the money 
which is demanded for the extra bill ? Who gives us our time ? 

If those who now travel and do business on that day, continue 
the practice, others will follow their example, until all classes 
of men will attend to their business on Sunday, and the Sabbath 
will no longer adorn our weeks, and summon the pilgrim to 
the temple of religious worship. 

Since then, some may object to ceasing from all labor during 
holy time — and we know not how many — let us suppose, that 
half of the number mentioned above, as the mainspring of this 
evil, object to it; though we do not believe one quarter or even 
one eighth will do so, when properly enlightened. Who are 
these ? Only disbelievers in the Bible, (and not half of their 
number,) the dissipated, the dissolute, the ignorant, the immoral, 
the uninfluential ; those who do not love their country, but are 
bad members of society. Every enlightened, unprejudiced mind, 
will see that this is their character ; and what is the weight of 
their influence, when put into the scale against the influence of 
those in favor of this day ? What effect can the objection have, 
when presented to those who are now in the employment of 
these business men ? Whose wishes will prevail, those of the 
man who would have the Sabbath observed, or of him who 
would blot it out ? 

Those who are now transporting our wares and merchandise, 



310 THE SABBATH. 

our letters and ourselves, are men of good feeling, candor, in- 
telligence, and discrimination ; and think you, they cannot see 
on which side the right is; on which side lie the moral worth, 
the intelligence, the influence, and the wealth of their petition- 
ers ? For we would have all these business men make use of 
arguments, reason, and good common sense, to bring about this 
change, and they can prevail. 

The men, thus employed, cannot stand uninterested spectators 
while we discuss and determine this great question ; for they do 
know, though they may not all feel the obligation they are under 
to obey God, that it would be much for their interest and com- 
fort, to rest one day in seven. Their drivers, boatmen, and 
runners, would be more intelligent, civil, trusty, and moral, than 
they are under present arrangements ; and their teams would 
be kept in better plight, live much longer, and go more briskly. 
In every point of view, then, the benefits, m the minds of these 
men, would preponderate in favor of resting as often as the Sab- 
bath returns ; and we feel most confident they would rejoice to 
do it. 

A word respecting our letters and packages. Let those re- 
member who have demanded a Sunday mail, that if all business 
were dispensed with on that day, no other evil than a delay of 
one day in seven can result from it ; for in that case, one man 
could not receive intelligence of any important business or event 
sooner than another. The delay cannot be a sufficient excuse 
for compelling thirty or forty thousand of our citizens to break 
the laws of G-od, and thereby expose themselves to eternal mise- 
ry. Think for a moment of the condition of those men you 
thus employ, to gratify your curiosity, or add a little to your 
worldly gain. Most of them come to you poor, possibly are far 
from home, out of money, and out of employment. Perhaps 
they have been cradled in the lap of piety, and have covenanted 
to keep the Sabbath holy. But what shall they do ? You want 
their services, and they would be glad to render them ; but how 
can they work on Sunday, and sin against God ? These re- 
marks will apply to hundreds of thousands of others, who seek 
for employment in other ways, and think they cannot obtain it, 
without laboring on holy time. Though all of them ought to 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. " 311 

refuse to violate the commands of God, at all times, and under 
all circumstances, yet the love of gain, or absolute necessity, as 
they think, drives them to disobey him. How dare you, for the 
paltry benefit you hope to derive, during your short life, take 
upon yourselves the responsibility of causing these little ones, 
these poor people, to disobey God ? How dare you, for such a 
consideration, venture to turn these youths from the path of duty, 
throw around their minds the chains of ignorance, introduce 
them into the society of the vicious and debauched, where they 
will learn the vocabulary of hell, and become unfitted for use- 
fulness in this world, because they are entirely shut out from 
religious privileges ? Dare you go to the judgment and meet 
these men, who have spent their time and wasted their strength 
in faithfully laboring to promote your interests, while you have 
been laboring as effectually to deprive them of their dearest 
rights and brightest privileges, adapted to make them useful 
here, and happy hereafter ? Think of it as you will, " for all 
these things God will bring you into judgment ;" and you must 
then answer, not only for all the evil these men may be allowed 
to commit, but for the loss of all the good they otherwise might 
have accomplished; the blessedness they might have enjoyed, 
and for the evils they must suffer ; and all this, for the privilege, 
(dear bought privilege !) of having a Sunday mail. 

Let us now, in a few words, show how these merchants, 
traveling and business men are the mainspring of Sabbath- 
breaking. They go to the great commercial cities, buy goods, 
order them shipped in t\ie first boat, give special orders to have 
them forwarded with as little delay as possible. Their goods 
must not lie by on Sunday. Hence the necessity, says the ship- 
captain, of my labor, and the labor, on each Sunday, of all my 
men ; and, says the boat-captain, of my labor, and the labor of 
my men. The goods must be shipped and unshipped : boats 
must be towed, warehouses must be opened, clerks must take 
account of the goods, receive and deliver them, locks must be 
tended, clearances obtained ; and thus we see that the goods of 
these business men keep constantly at work custom-house offi- 
cers, captains, sailors, boatmen, and carmen ; lock-tenders, clerks 
in all the forwarding establishments, wagoners, draymen, and 



312 THE SABBATH. 

a thousand others, while they themselves keep the stages in 
motion, and exact the labor of proprietors, agents, drivers, land- 
lords, runners, mail-carriers, postmasters, porters, ostlers, coach- 
men, &c. &c. ; for most of these, while away from home, travel 
on Sunday as on other days. If they do not, those who are 
transporting their goods, labor with their horses and cattle, and 
though they may be seated in the sanctuary, " worshiping God," 
at the same time, (strange inconsistency !) they are breaking 
the Sabbath by those whom they employ. 

Some of those who have shipped their goods from New- York 
on Friday or Saturday, have gone to Albany and stopped to 
spend the Sabbath ; and, while they were in the house of God, 
at the communion table, there were perhaps twenty men on the 
dock, taking their goods from the vessel, and putting them into 
canal boats ; then come the teams, and they are hurried away. 
All this activity and bustle are witnessed, in some places, within 
sight of a Bethel, and the hearing of a chaplain, procured for 
the benefit of sailors ; for these business men, these good men, 
cannot suffer their goods to lie by on Sunday ! It cannot be 
that they know how much they are doing to blot out the Sab- 
bath. Thus it is that they, though unseen, move the hands that 
move the merchandise and drive the stages ; that play the bugle 
and raise the steam. 

But this is not all. These men build steamboats, canal boats, 
stages, take mail contracts, hold stock in Sabbath-breaking 
establishments, and thus give their influence to increase and 
perpetuate this great evil. These are some of the ways in 
which they move the wheel that is rolling the Sabbath into 
oblivion, and unless they stop short in their career, it will soon 
have gone beyond recovery. 

If, in the temperance reform, we hold distillers responsible for 
the mischiefs which ardent spirits occasion, which is, doubtless, 
right, surely, on the same principle, may we hold merchants, 
traveling and business gentlemen, responsible for the evils of 
Sabbath-breaking. If the distiller would not make intoxicating 
drink, drunkenness would cease; and, if these business men 
would not employ men to labor for them on Sunday, Sabbath- 
breaking, in these ways, would come to an end. 



I 



APPEAL IN BEHALP OF. 313 

Though there are others guilty of this sin, their influence is 
small ; and, if business men would do their duty, they would 
soon abandon a practice which must call down upon them, the 
odium and disapprobation of every good man. We verily be- 
lieve, if merchants, business and traveling gentlemen, or only 
that part of them who know and appreciate the value of the 
Sabbath, would use their influence to put a stop to all business 
in the ways above mentioned, on the day of rest, it might be 
effected in less than one year. If there is so much influence 
now^ which might be exerted on the side of the Sabbath, but is 
not, great will be the guilt of every delinquent. 

THE POOR LABORER. 

Of the poor laboring part of the community, the stage-driver, 
boatman, carman, sailor, coachman, porter, steward, milkman, 
ostler, cook, boot-black, barber, washer-woman, and, indeed, of 
every one who is induced, by any means, to labor on Sunday, 
let it be asked. Do you know of what a blessing and privilege 
you are deprived, and that without an adequate compensation ? 

What do you lose, by this means, in this life ? You lose the 
benefits of religious worship. If that is instructive, edifying, 
consoling, encouraging, purifying, ennobling, and refining in its 
influence, then this, of itself, is the loss of a greater good, than 
can be purchased by all the gold and silver, houses and lands, 
wares and merchandise, ever owned or beheld by your employ- 
ers. AVhere there are no Sabbaths observed, nor Christian 
assemblies convened, there will prevail ignorance, sloth, dissi- 
pation, licentiousness, profanity, theft, robbery, and other evils, 
too numerous to be mentioned. 

It is but a few years since Sabbath-breaking has become so 
common; been sanctioned, encouraged, and commanded by this 
nation. It is but a few years since public opinion would allow 
a man to live and fatten on the hard earnings of those whom he 
compelled to labor on Sunday : but a few years since laborers 
have concluded they must engage for such men, or perish with 
hunger. It seems as if they must come to the latter alternative, 
and that too, in a very short time, unless the loorld awake, and 
27 



314 THE SABBA.TH. 

put a stop to this oppression of our fellow-men — this sin against 
our own souls, our country, and against God. 

It is true, there are yet left among us occupations in which 
men may engage, and not violate the Sabbath ; but they are 
daily growing less in number, and do not make a sufficient 
demand to give employment to all our laboring fellow-citizens. 
But those who have the charge of our forwarding and trans- 
portation lines, on lakes, rivers, canals, and railroads, where the 
Sabbath might be observed ; our public conveyances, our largest 
inns, our livery establishments, our places of public resort, em- 
ploy, we had almost said, no man or woman but such as will 
agree to labor seven days for a week, instead of six. 

It is said by those who have the means of knowing, that 
many of those employed on our canals and steamboats, and in 
our public houses, become entirely regardless of their character, 
in respect to honesty, chastity, morality, and religion. It is not 
at all surprising that such should, ultimately, become the cha- 
racter of the poor, destitute, homeless ones thus situated — far 
from their native place, among strangers, all professing friend- 
ship, but few, if any, sincere in their pretensions. Usually they 
have no Sabbaths, no religious instruction, few religious books; 
but week after week they learn to desecrate God's holy day, 
hear the profane oath and obscene speech, become familiar with 
deeds of darkness, and fall to rise no more. 

But these persons are out of employment. They have no 
one to help them ; they must help themselves. Here they have 
fair pronaises, large wages offered, and kind attentions shown^ 
to seduce them from their abode of peace and innocence. They 
consider and hesitate — think of the dangers, such as they know^ 
though the half of them has not been told. They venture upon 
temptation, though resolving to resist ; and, alas, a few years 
find them, not only poor, but wanton and wretched ! Is it not 
a solemn and an alarming fact, that these laborers, men and 
women, must agree to disobey God, and run the risk of their 
soul's salvation, before they can be allowed to enter upon their 
labors ! From these schools come so many drunkards, robbers^ 
murderers, and harlots. 

Have you ever looked around you, dear friends, nay, we will 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 315 

call you injured, oppressed brethren and sisters, for whose wel- 
fare our heart bleeds, have you ever looked around and seen 
where you are ; to what you are coming ; and counted the vast- 
ness of your numbers in this state of unrighteous servitude ? 
not allowed the privilege of rest one day in seven, to which you 
are entitled, which you need, and which G-od designed for you ! 
You must labor for your employers seven days in the week, and 
receive wages but for six. What do these things mean ? Surely 
they mean nothing less than this, if translated into language, 
" We will so deal with a certain class of our citizens, that it 
shall necessarily bring them to that ignorance, poverty, and 
degeneracy of intellect, which will enable us, not many years 
hence, to make them hewers of wood and drawers of water, 
without money and without price." Since this is the natural 
and unavoidable tendency of this course of things, is it possible 
that there can be found among you, one who will not use all 
his or her influence to bring about so desirable a state of things, 
as the universal observance of the fourth commandment ? The 
Sabbath was especially made for the poor; it is the poor man's 
friend. Where there is no Sabbath, the poor are held in bond- 
age ; but where there is a Sabbath duly observed, it elevates 
them; they become intelligent, respectable, and happy. 

There is yet moral influence enough in this land, if it could be 
brought to bear on this point, to produce a speedy change for 
the better ; there is a public conscience, which will, if allowed, 
speak with a voice of thrilling eloquence, and loud as peals of 
thunder, awakening the moral energies of this nation, against 
so dangerous and deadly a foe, as Sabbath-breaking ; there is 
philanthropy enough to feel, and, putting forth efl'orts watered 
with her tears, to adopt and execute plans which shall ensure 
the success of this benevolent enterprise. 

Sabbath-breaking lies directly across the path of our benevo- 
lent objects, especially the spiritual improvement of boatmen 
and seamen. We know of villages where may be seen a neat, 
convenient chapel, erected for the benefit of watermen. Every 
Sabbath, waves the Bethel flag, calling upon men to come and 
hear the words of eternal life. But, alas, few obey the 
gracious call ! The sailor toils on, boatmen blow their horns, 



316 THE SABBATH, 

Strike their music, and sail away: the shipmaster with his 
many hands, plies the mallet and the chisel, and sings the- 
merry song, while all around and within the warehouse, is busi- 
ness, bustle, and confusion. Go into the Bethel, and there 
sighs the pious, devoted chaplain, anxiously waiting the attend- 
ance of some twenty or thirty, who are watching an opportunity 
to go to the meeting unobserved. 

THE GREAT VALLEY. 

Looking over the great, flourishing, beautiful, and rapidly 
growing villages of the Western Yalley, traveling from river to 
river, canal to canal, railway to railway, fron^state to state, and 
from mountain to mountain, one would almost believe that the 
Sabbath had been lost. If one could take his stand next Lord's 
day, upon the highest summit of the Alleghany, or Rocky 
Mountains, and survey the vale below, his eye would see the 
smoke ascending from six or eight hundred steam-boats as they 
majestically glide over the broad and deep Amazon of North 
America, her tributaries, and other waters ; and riding on their 
bosom innumerable other vessels, and smaller craft, boimd to 
their thousand ports. 

From this prospect he turns to the canals. Here also all is 
bustle and hurry. Again he looks, and his eye catches the long 
train of cars, scattered here and there over the country. With 
the velocity of the wind, they carry their thousands from village 
to village, until they are lost in the distance. He looks again, 
and sees many thousand stages loaded with passengers, and "per- 
haps thirty thousand private carriages, with emigrants, or 
loaded with the business men and men of pleasure, of this great 
valley, except as may be seen here and there a traveler from the 
East, or the North. Now his eye rests upon the cities in the 
southern part of the valley. Business and pleasure seem to be 
the employment of by far the majority of all he sees. Here and 
there are houses dedicated to the service of God, but few enter- 
ing them. At New Orleans, crowds are rushing into the gam- 
bling house, hurrying to the theatre, to dissipation, to scenes of 
rioting and carnal pleasure. On the third of August, 1834, he 
would have seen twenty tables set, and more than twelve hun- 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 317 

dred guests around them, at a public dinner, on Sunday, with 
crowds of others about the city, celebrating the triumph of one 
political party over another. Here is a hunting, there a fishing 
party, horse-racing, and numberless other amusements. At the 
North the prospect is a little brighter. But even there the Sab- 
bath seems almost annihilated. 

Sometimes we have been led to inquire, when looking over 
this extensive country, ten times as large as the kingdom of 
Great Britain and Ireland, admitting of a most dense population, 
designed to give support to a greater number of inhabitants 
than all the other portions of the United States, what is to be 
the moral character of the inhabitants of this great valley fifty 
years hence, and what will be the character of the laws they 
will give to this nation ? 

But as we leave this valley for the Atlantic cities, almost 
every boat, stage, and car, is filled with passengers on Sunday. 
In Baltimore at one time, six or eight hundred persons may be 
seen profaning the Sabbath, by riding to or from that city in the 
cars. Hundreds and hundreds are reaching or leaving it, by 
steam boats and vessels. Stages and private carriages are load- 
ed ; and during the day, how many of her citizens profane 
holy time ! 

; Philadelphia and New York present a similar scene. The 
boats, stages, private carriages and cars, which leave the city of 
New York on that day, groan under their more than ordinary 
burthens. Many steam boats advertise to carry parties of pleasure 
on Sunday. Who can tell the number of persons who take the 
rail cars and coaches for Yorkville and Harlem on the first day 
of the week ; the thousands who ride to Hoboken, to Long Isl- 
and, Staten Island, Sandy Hook, and other places of resort ? — 
the number of cattle and sheep driven into the city ? — how many 
are butchered, how many fowls dressed, how many vegetables, 
and how much fruit, collected on Sunday, for Monday's market ? 
How many saunter about the city, and in other ways profane 
holy time ? 

It is said, that out of the 1,400,000 inhabitants in London, 
500,000 do not habitually attend religious worship of any kind. 
Out of seven or 800,000 in Paris, not more than 60,000 pretend to 
27# 



318 THE SABBATH. 

have any regard to the Christian Sabbath. In that city, Sundays 
can be distinguished from the other days of the week, by the 
additional amount of festivity, dissipation, and licentiousness. 
What will prevent this nation from arriving at the same state of 
immorality ? Nothing but a due observance of the Sabbath. 
But it is not with us, as it was twenty or thirty years ago, when 
we had few Sunday mails, no canals,'^no railroads, no steam- 
boats, few stages, if any, that did business on Sunday. Now 
nearly or quite one-tenth of our population, it is believed, ha- 
bitually labor on that day in a manner in which they could not 
have labored twenty years ago. All these, with hundreds of 
thousands of others, are learning to contemn G-od and trample 
under their feet his most sacred institutions. Even in the silent 
retreats of New England, this evil is growing with the growth 
of the country, and the increase of the facilities for traveling and 
transportation. 

O could the Christian public know the moral character of the 
boys and girls now thus employed, and reflect that soon their 
numbers may be increased twenty fold ; and think of the millions 
of our fellow citizens, who, by their example and influence, will 
be drawn into the same sink of pollution and sin, how would 
they call for the Sabbath, that they might hear and obey the 
precepts of the gospel ! 

Christians, philanthropists, and patriots, have already slum- 
bered too long. Our Sabbaths, which furnish the greatest se- 
curity to our individual and national prosperity, in reality^ are 
almost gone, though few seem to know it. 

When the Lord punished his ancient people, he often told 
them, it was because they kept not his Sabbaths, but polluted 
them. The nobles, who profaned the Sabbath, brought more 
" wrath upon Israel." God always has punished, and always 
will punish, nations and communities in this life, if they keep 
not his Sabbaths. Since this nation began, openly and habitually^ 
to profane holy time, we have been experiencing judgments from 
heaven. Diseases are more numerous, malignant, and fatal. 
Men in active life and firm health, m great numbers, die sudden- 
ly. Our councils are distracted. We suffer losses and derange- 
ment in that department which is most open in trampling oa the 



APPEAL IN BEHALF OF. 319 

Lord's day. Riots are becoming common ; wicked men are not 
only hating Christians, but Christians are " biting and devouring 
one another." We have desolating storms of rain and hail. Blast- 
ing, mildew, and drought have cut off many of our crops. Fires 
are laying waste our cities. Men are becoming treacherous, su- 
premely selfish, covetous, aspiring. But, like Pharaoh, after he 
had called his magicians to compete with Moses and Aaron, we 
have concluded that these things are not intended 2i^ judgments, 
that it is not God who has done it ; and we, therefore, hold on 
to our sin. It was not thus twenty years ago. 

No people can retain G-od in their knowledge, unless they ob- 
serve and keep his Sabbaths. No government can long exist 
without a Sabbath, unless founded in ignorance and sustained by 
physical force. Every violation of the Sabbath, therefore, and 
every effort to abolish it, is an attack upon the government under 
which we live. These acts and efforts continued, and the super- 
structure falls. God will come out against a people that will not 
give to his service that portion of time which he requires ; and 
no nation can stand when he rises up against it. 

We are in the greater danger, because ministers and people 
think there is little or no cause of alarm. But there is cause of 
alarm. This nation is preparing for an awful doom, an untimely 
overthrow. God's patience will not always endure. He cannot 
save us, if we will not keep his Sabbaths, stay in the ark, and 
do the things which he has required for our safety. 

The friends of the Sabbath are not confined to one sect or de- 
nomination of Christians, for it is equally valuable and important 
to all. Not one of them can rise and prosper without its influ- 
ence. They may think differently with regard to the best means 
to promote its observance ; but this should not cause any of its 
friends to abandon the object, or treat unkindly any one who 
would promote it. If we disagree about these means, and op- 
pose one another, we shall not succeed. We do not say that all 
must labor in oi^r way, but hope all will labor in the best way. 
Oh then, let not one Christian, or one denomination of Christians, 
oppose, or wait for another to lead, in this enterprise. Do we 
not hear all, whether in a palace, a thatched cottage, or a rude 
hovel — surrounded by enlightened, liberal, and affectionate 



320 THE SABBATH. 

friends, and enjoying liberty, or incarcerated in a dungeon — yes, 
all meriy who love themselves and their country, or their God, 
with one united voice exclaim. Truly the violation of the fourth 
commandment has become alarmingly prevalent, and threatens 
the utter destruction of all that is dear, encouraging, and con- 
soling in religion ; all that is safe, equal, and ennobling in our 
political condition ; all that is elevating and instructive in litera- 
ture, and all that is profitable in the arts and sciences ; we will, 
therefore, in future, abstain from this sin ourselves, and use all 
our influence to persuade others to do the same. 

Let every man, then, in every place and under all circum- 
stances, as often as the Sabbath returns, leave his worldly busi- 
ness and sanctify it. Every man must do this. It is the com- 
mand of an infinite God ; and as we value his protection and 
blessing, as we would secure the peace, happiness, and prosper- 
ity of our friends and country, it becomes us at once to submit 
to his authority. 

PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 

Let every Christian begin at home, and regulate his own life 
and conduct, so as not to participate in this sin. The church, of 
course, will feel under obligation to call to account any of their 
number who desecrate the Sabbath. 

L Resolutions suitable to he adopted, 

" Believing that all attention, on the first day of the week, to 
worldly business, except such as is required by works of piety 
and mercy, or in promotion of our spiritual good and that of 
others, is a violation of the divine will, and injurious to the civil, 
social, and religious interests of man, we, therefore, agree that 
we will not participate in thissin :" 

1. By traveling on business or for pleasure. 

2. By making or receiving visits. 

3. By going or sending to the PostoJSice. 

4. By holding stock in boats, cars, stages, or other establish- 
ments which are employed in violating the Sabbath. 

5. By worldly conversation or secular reading. 

6. By allowing our household, or strangers, when within our 
gates, to profane holy time. 



PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 321 

II. '' The earth was without form and void," until " God said, 
Let there be light, and there was light ;" and Sabbath-breaking 
will exist, and increase, until there is more light on the subject. 
This light must emanate from the pulpit, the press, and through 
the instrumentality of traveling agents. 

III. Let merchants, manufacturers, and traveling gentlemen, 
who value the Sabbath, and the. blessings which accompany it, 
by thousands^ sign the following declaration, viz : — 

" "We, the subscribers, believing that the command to remem- 
ber the Sabbath day to keep it holy, extends to all men ; and 
wishing, not only to enjoy the rest of that day ourselves, but to 
allow the privilege to others, do hereby express our willingness 
and desire to have our business, in all respects, so transacted as 
not to require the attention or labor of any man on the Christian 
Sabbath." 

IV. Next invite all who do business on Sunday, or cause it to 
be done, to make such arrangements as will not interfere with 
the sacred rest of that institution. There is every reason to be- 
lieve the invitation would be joyfully received and promptly 
complied with. During all this process, the only means to bring 
about so desirable a change are, moral suasion, the presentation 
of facts, truth pressed home upon the conscience; light, — "Let 

THERE BE LIGHT." 

Such an arrangement can injure no man. All our business 
would be transacted as it now i^, with the exception of resting 
one day in seven; which every man, after six days of labor, needs, 
as also the weary animal which toils for his benefit. On this 
plan, no business man, or traveling gentleman, would have an 
advantage over his neighbor; for all would rest from secular 
employment, as often as the Sabbath dawned upon our land. 
Then, while we were at rest, our son and our daughter, our man 
servant and our maid servant, our cattle, and the stranger within 
our gates, might rest, as God has commanded, and as their con- 
stitution requires. 

There is no more difficulty in closing our business, when the 
Sabbath commences, than there is when enshrouded by the cur- 
tains of evening, or when driven from it by a storm of wind and 
hail ; or by the destruction and the pestilence. 



322 THE SABBATH. 

The divine arrangement is, that man and beast shall have one 
day in seven for rest ; and the man who disregards the will of 
his Maker, the claims of our nature, and the good of the crea- 
tures which God has made, cannot be a philanthropist, a good 
member of society, a friend to his own best interest, or a Chris- 
tian. A nation of Sabbath-breakers is a nation of infidels. A 
nation of infidels is a stranger to liberty, to enlightened patriot- 
ism, to good will to men, to charity, to peace, to rational hope, 
to joy. 

The Sabbath was made for man ; for every man, in every age. 
His frail body needs it ; his soul cannot prosper without it ; good 
morals and enlarged benevolence cannot long exist without it. 
This institution is the best detector of a man's morality. Blot 
it out, and you annihilate the blessings of revelation, and sink 
into ignorance, degradation, and anarchy. 

Daily observation shows, that there is great diversity of opin- 
ion, even among the friends of the Sabbath, in regard to the 
manner in which its observance can be best secured. Letters, 
just received, express doubts of the expediency of adopting any 
measures which shall be recognised as tending to that object. 
Others, and by far the greatest number, say that something must 
be done to redeem the Sabbath, for we are all sinking together. 
Some advise to print a paper, for the purpose of pleadiag the 
cause of the Sabbath. Others say, Send men to preach in every 
congregation, beginning where the evil is most prevalent. Others 
still say, " Pray — print — preach." 

There is no hope of a plan which will, 2iX firsts meet the views 
of all. Men who see comparatively little of the evil, feel differ- 
ently on the subject from those who are constantly observing its 
progress. 

Under such circumstances it is with diffidence that these views 
and suggestions have been submitted to the consideration of the 
public. 

Christians ought to remember that Christ was not well pleased • 
with those disciples who forbade the man to cast out devils, be- 
cause he followed not them ; but said, " Forbid him not ^ ^ * 
for he that is not against us is on our part." We know not how 
much injury we may do to a good cause by opposing measures 



PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 323 

which do not exactly meet our approbation. If measures pro- 
posed for removing any evil from our land are not manifestly 
rash and unscriptural, we should think of the case referred to 
above, before we throw our influence into the opposite scale. 
A good cause ought not thus to be put down. The projector of 
measures is nothing. It is the cause which we are called upon 
to aid. 

Cleveland, June, 1834. 



CHAPTER VIL 

ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 

In justice to business men, it ought to be said, that the prac- 
tice into which many of them have fallen, of laboring on Sun- 
day, has obtained, rather from a supposed necessity in the case, 
or from inconsideration, than from any preconcerted plan to abol- 
:ish the Christian Sabbath. 

There is much intelligence, respectability, good feeling and 
commendable enterprise in those whom we now address, and 
with them is most of the wealth and the influence of this great 
nation. They are men of thought, candor, and discrimination ; 
willing and accustomed to look at subjects faiiiy, closely to ex- 
amine and compare facts, and draw correct conclusions ; we are 
therefore the more encouraged to address them on a subject, 
which should interest every citizen of these United States. 

Is it too much to say, that business men rule the nation ? 
Their enterprise, which by railroads and canals, has, or will 
overcome all difficulties which nature has thrown in the way of 
intercourse and communication, is distinguished from that of the 
founders of Babel, the ancient pyramids, and the huge waU of 
the " celestial empire," by the wisdom and utility of its plans, 
and for the means, generally unexceptionable, by which they are 
executed. They are leveling the mountains, exalting the val- 
leys, making railroads and canals, deepening rivers, widening, 
turning, and extending their channels ; so that boats and vessels 
can already be seen, not only on the waters of the east, but also 
on the twenty-four thousand miles of steamboat navigation in the 
valley of the Mississippi. 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 325 

But there are not a few of our fellow citizens who believe that 
these improvements and facilities, most desirable under proper 
regulations, are endangering the stability of our government, an- 
nihilating among us the Christian religion, and sinking us into 
anarchy and despotism. 

This nation, though in her infancy, is great in prospect, and 
mighty in resources. A few years since her territory was a wil- 
derness — a British province : and it is but as yesterday since she 
proclaimed her independence — entered upon an experiment of 
self-government, untried and doubtful. Nations look upon her, 
some with hope, others with fear ; some with jealousy, and 
others with envy — all admitting, that, should this attempt fail, 
the last hope of banishing despotism from the world would ex- 
pire. Under such circumstances, the heart of every American, 
proud as it may be of our invaluable privileges, civil and reli- 
gious, cannot regard with indifference anything which has a ten- 
dency to weaken and undermine, or to establish and perpetuate 
them. While all love our common country and her liberties, 
and are equally interested in their support, most it is believed 
are agreed in the sentiment, that a republican government can 
be sustained and perpetuated, only by the general diffusion of 
intelligence, virtue, and morality. 

It is said that we are an enterprising people. We rejoice that 
it is so. But we should beware, while wielding the destinies of 
a great nation, not to unite in those plans and encourage those 
practices, which have uniformly led other nations to ruin. We 
have unintentionally fallen into the evil which has been alluded 
to, and which calls for a remedy. It is this. In busmess ar- 
rangements on our great thoroughfares, little regard is had to the 
Sabbath, as a day of rest. All distinction between the six days 
of labor and the seventh day of rest seems to be vanishing away. 
Yet, without a Sabbath, duly observed, a people cannot long be 
intelligent and moral, and consequently cannot be fit subjects of 
self-go vernm ent. 

If danger is to be apprehended from this source, it is important 
that we should all know it, and unite in devising means to re- 
move the evil from our land. In this enterprise, the rich and 
poor, the statesman and patriot, the philanthropist and Christian, 
28 



326 THE SABBATH. 

are interested. And where the motives of our religion cannot 
influence^ it would seem as if those of humanity could not fail to 
do so. For, who among us would wish to see this nation cut 
up into little despotic governments ? Who among us so base, 
that he would rejoice to see her pillars totter and fall ; her reli- 
gion exchanged for that of the Hindoo or Mohammedan ; her in- 
telligence and morality for the ignorance and immorality of 
paganism ? 

We know it is contended by some, that the fourth command 
of the decalogue is not binding on us Gentiles — that the rest of 
the Sabbath is not necessary for the good of man, or the well-be- 
ing of beasts of burden. But though we are Gentiles, and 
though this command, as well as the entire Bible, was originally 
given to the Jews, yet we claim that book as our book. Its 
blessed promises we embrace, its awful denunciations we dread. 
Who, that believes this volume to contain the oracles of God, 
can for a moment doubt, that since Paul was sent to preach the 
Gospel to the Gentiles, all the moral precepts it contains, are as 
binding on us, as they are or were on the Jews ; or, that, if the 
Jews needed a Sabbath, a day of sacred rest, we need it as much ? 
Whoever, therefore, would be encouraged by the promises, in- 
structed by the wisdom, or admonished by the threatenings of 
the Bible, must accept it as the will of God to fallen man, all 
men^ and obey its injunctions. This book calls upon men, to 
" Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" — assuring them 
that in so doing, they shall be blessed, but that refusing, God 
will come out in judgment against them. 

We stand on common ground, and have a common interest. 
Let us, therefore, candidly and impartially examine this subject, 
and see whether there is any danger to be apprehended from the 
present system of doing business on the Lord's day. And in the 
prosecution of our inquiries, all our information must be derived 
from two sources, viz. the word of God, and well authenticated 
facts. 

I.— What does the Word of God say ? 

As to this inquiry, if we find that labor is forbidden on the 
Sabbath, that evils are threatened against the transgressor of the 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 327 

fourth commandment, and have been inflicted in consequence of 
its violation, then we must naturally infer, that it is not only- 
criminal, but dangerous, to engage in any secular business on 
that day. From the following passages it will be seen, that 
God has required men to keep the Sabbath ; — and that judg- 
ments for disobedience have not only been threatened, but actu- 
ally inflicted. 

LABOR FORBIDDEN ON THE SABBATH. 

The fourth commandment, Ex. xx. 8-10, is explicit ; " Remem- 
ber the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, 
and do all thy work : but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the 
Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy 
son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, 
nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates." 

Ex. xxxi. 14. Ye shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is 
holy unto you : every one that defileth it shall surely be put to 
death : for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be 
cut off from among his people." Then in verse 15, of the same 
chapter, " Six days may work be done ; but in the seventh is 
the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord ; whosoever doeth any 
work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death." In 
Lev. xxiii. 3, we read, " Six days shall work be done ; but the 
seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation ; ye shall 
do no work therein." In Lev. xix. 30, we find, "Ye shall 
keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the 
Lord." The same occurs Lev. xxvi. 2. Deut. v. 12-21, is a re- 
capitulation of the fourth commandment, nearly verbatim, with 
additional reasons why the children of Israel should keep the 
Sabbath. Ex. xxiii, 12, " Six days thou shalt do thy work, and 
on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass 
may rest ; and the son of thy handmaid and the stranger may be 
refreshed." Ex. xxxiv. 21: " Six days thou shalt work ; but on 
the seventh day thou shalt rest ; in earing time and in harvest 
thou shalt rest." 

EVILS THREATENED AND INFLICTED. 

In Ex. xxxv. 2, like xxxi. 15, before quoted, is found a com- 



328 THE SABBATH. 

mand to keep the Sabbath, on pain of death. And in Nunib. xv. 
32-36, we have a case of violation of the law, and of the inflic- 
tion of the penalty. In verse 32, we have the crime : While 
the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man 
that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. In verse 36, the 
punishment is recorded, as follows : " All the congregation 
brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, 
and he died ; as the Lord commanded Moses." In Ezek. xx. 
13, God, by his prophet, says of Israel, " and my Sabbaths they 
greatly polluted : then I said, I v/ould pour out my fory upon 
them, in the wilderness, to consume them," — and they were 
consumed accordingly. God, by Moses, Lev. xxvi. 33 — 35, after 
having pronounced other curses on them, if they should refuse 
to do his commandments, adds, " And I will scatter you among 
the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you, and your 
land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the 
land eiTJoy her Sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate, and ye be 
in your enemies' land, even then shall the land rest, and enjoy 
her Sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate, it shall rest ; because 
it did not rest in your Sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it." Read 
the whole of this chapter. Hundreds of years after this threat- 
ening, when the iniquity of the people was almost full, God said 
to them, by Jeremiah, chap. xvii. 27, " But if ye will not heark- 
en unto me, to hallow the Sabbath day, and not to bear a bur- 
den, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath 
day, then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall 
devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." 
We find these prophecies, awful as they were, literally fulfilled 
upon this ungrateful and wicked people, as recorded, 2 Kings 
XXV., and in 2 Chron. xxxvi., and in Jer. lii. " The king of the 
Chaldees," we are told, "had no compassion upon young man 
or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age ; he [God] gave 
them all into his hand." " And they burnt the house of God, 
and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces 
thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. 
And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to 
Babylon, where they were servants to him and his sons." " To 
fulfil the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, imtil the 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 329 

land had enjoyed her Sabbath : for as long as she lay desolate 
she kept Sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years," 

To Ezekiel, during the captivity, God said of Jerusalem, 
" Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my 
Sabbaths." " Her priests have violated my law, and have pro- 
faned mine holy things : they have put no difference between 
the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference be- 
tween the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from 
my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." After enume- 
rating other transgressions, he adds, " Therefore have I poured 
out mine indignation upon them ; I have consumed them with 
the fire of my wrath : their own way have I recompensed upon 
their heads, saith the Lord God." See Ezek. xxii. 8, 26, 31. 

Oh, what a penalty for profaning the Sabbath ! We need not 
prosecute this part of the investigation further, to prove that 
labor is forbidden on the Sabbath, that evils are threatened 
against the transgressor, or that they have actually been in- 
flicted. 

Many facts are recorded in the Bible, to show us how God 
looks upon the man who disregards his law ; and what we may 
expect, if we continue to rebel against him. The simple act of 
gathering a few sticks on the Sabbath, was not of so much con- 
sequence as the disposition manifested, in the disregard of a 
command of God. The man guilty of that act, showed that he 
did not hold himself accountable to God, but would employ his 
time as best suited his convenience. We are surprised that any 
man, who believes in the inspiration of the Bible, should dare 
disregard the fourth commandment. For there is no want of 
proof, from that book, or from facts, that God has most signally 
punished individuals and communities, as he has said he would, 
for not remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy. 

SABBATH-BREAKING PREVENTS THE BLESSING. 

Men who disregard the law of the Sabbath, camiot be as 
prosperous, intelligent, free, happy, and moral, as are those who 
duly observe and sanctify it. 

This position is fully sustained by the following passages and 
facts, from the sacred pages. At the time God communicated 
28=^ 



330 THE SAEBATH. 

to Jeremiah his determination to kindle a fire in the gates of Je- 
rusalem which should devour the palaces thereof, he endeavored 
to excite the people to obedience by this gracious promise : " It 
shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the 
Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the 
Sabbath day, but hallov^ the Sabbath day, to do no vsrork there- 
in ; then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and 
princes, sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and 
on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the in- 
habitants of Jerusalem; and this city sjiall remain forever." 
Jer. xvii. 24, 25, 27. Another passage, exactly in point, is from 
Isaiah Ivi. 2, 4-7 : " Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the 
son of man that layeth hold on it ; that keepeth the Sabbath, 
from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." 
" Thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, 
and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my cov- 
enant ; even unto them will I give, in mine house, and within 
my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and of daugh- 
ters : I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut 
off. Also the sons of the stranger that join themselves to the 
Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his 
servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, 
and taketh hold of my covenant ; even them will I bring to my 
holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; 
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon 
mine altar : for mine house shall be called an house of prayer 
for all people." In the same book, chap. IviiL 13, 14, we have, 
" If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy 
pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a Delight, the 
Holy of the Lord, Honorable, and shall honor him, not doing 
thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking 
thine own words : Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord ; 
and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, 
and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father : for the 
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it" 

MANNA, 

Let us examine another passage in relation to this part of our 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 331 

subject: Ex. xvi. 22-30. From this, we learn, ^Hhat on the 
sixth day, they [the Israelites] gathered twice as much bread, 
[manna] two omers for one man," as they had gathered on the 
days preceding. " And all the rulers of the congregation came 
and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the 
Lord hath said. To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto 
the Lord : bake that which ye will bake to-day^ and seethe that 
ye will seethe ; and that which remaineth over lay up for you, 
to be kept mitil the morning. And they laid it up till the morn- 
ing, as Moses bade : and it did not stink, neither was there any 
worm therein. And Moses said. Eat that to-day, for to-day is 
a Sabbath unto the Lord : to-day ye shall not find it in the field. 
Six days ye shall gather it ; but on the seventh day, which is 
the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, 
that there went out some of the people on the seventh day to 
gather, and they found none. And the Lord said unto Moses, 
How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws ? 
See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he 
giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days : abide ye 
every man in his place ; let no man go out of his place on the 
seventh day." 

Let every one remember, that these events occurred before 
the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. Thus we see that there 
was a Sabbath, and that God had given laws, probably the same 
with those afterwards written on tables of stone ; for the Lord 
said, " How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my 
laws .**" Hence we infer, that to go out to gather manna was a 
breach of God's law— the law of the Sabbath, which had, doubt- 
less, always been in force. 

There is much instruction in this passage. In the first place, 
the people were surprised to find double the usual quantity of 
manna on the sixth day. 

Second ; The Sabbath is brought to view as a day of rest^ holy 
unto the Lord. And rather than have any work done on that 
day, God wrought two miracles weekly, viz : He caused a double 
quantity of food to fall on the sixth day ; and he preserved what 
was intended for the Sabbath from corrupting, like what was 
kept over on other days. 



332 THE SABBATH. 

Let the man who fears he shall come to want if he does not 
labor on Sunday, and the man who would hoard up his riches, 
read the verses just quoted, and know, that since God has ap- 
pointed the Sabbath, he has also provided and will provide, for 
the wants of all, who will honor him by keeping it. What did 
the man get by going out to seek for manna ? Nothing but the 
disapprobation of God. 

Men are taught by this lesson, that it is always safe to obey the 
commandments of the Lord — that God will not only provide an 
abundance for our wants, but that he will also preserve it from 
decay and putrefaction. We do not believe that an individual, 
or a company of individuals, or a community, in the long run, ever, 
in fact, made anything by laboring on Sunday. — Suppose they la- 
bor, obtain, and lay up much worldly goods, some of which are the 
result of Sabbath earnings, there is a worm at the core, and they 
will sooner or later become unfit for use, or be taken from them. 

In God's dealings with the children of Israel, he doubtless had 
more than one object in view. While one design was to raise 
up a people, to whom he might make a special revelation of his 
mind and will, and through whom he could hand down to future 
generations, a knowledge of his salvation ; be doubtless also in- 
tended to show the world, by his dealings with them, how he 
would govern and deal with other nations. As we have seen, he 
not only told that people, that if they profaned his Sabbaths, he 
would punish them, but he kept his word. While they reverenc- 
ed his holy day, they were prosperous and happy, but whenever 
they profaned or polluted it, he sent his judgments upon them, 
and such judgments as no other nation ever experienced. And 
he told them, he thus visited them, because they had polluted 
his Sabbaths. And in the same general manner he has dealt 
with all nations since that day. Those that cast away the Sab- 
bath, God gives up to destruction ; and if we continue to dese- 
crate that day, we shall be destroyed, and that without remedy. 
It cannot he otherwise. Ever since we have become a Sabbath- 
breaking nation, it is evident that God has had a controversy 
with us, just as with his ancient people. Like them, we have 
been warned and beaten with few stripes ; then warned again, 
and beaten with more stripes ; and we may expect some over- 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 333 

whelming calamity soon to fall on us, unless averted by speedy 
repentance, and return to duty. 

IL— Facts. 

We come noio to the second inquiry^ viz: — What do facts teach 

us to expect^ in relation to this matter ? 

And here let it first be observed, that this is not a state of re- 
tribution for individuals; though for some sins of individuals, 
Grod more signally punishes in this world than for others. This 
is believed to be true of Sabbath-breaking. There are at least 
certain evils which seem necessarily, and unavoidably to follow 
the Sabbath-breaker. 

But communities must always be punished in this world. This 
is their only state of retribution. When individuals, or commu- 
nities disregard the Sabbath, they are ready, so far as their con- 
science is concerned, to 'disregard the other laws of God ; and 
this leads them to neglect all the means which God has given, 
to prevent men from committing crimes against their neigh- 
bors, their country, and their God. A voice, therefore, should 
now be raised on this subject, waxing louder and louder, until it 
shall have aroused the slumbering energies, not only of the Chris- 
tian, but of every patriot and philanthropist. 

Let us see what influence, labor on the Sabbath has on physi- 
cal powers, on moral and intellectual powers, and on men's 
worldly prosperity, generally. Some have supposed that what 
is earned on the Lord's day, is clear gain ; but God says, and the 
best of men say, and facts prove, that this is not so. 

PHYSICAL POWERS. 

Sir Matthew Hale's experience has often been adduced, in 
proof of the above assertion. For nearly fifty years, he had 
been a critical observer of men, and much conversant with busi- 
ness. He says, " Whenever I have undertaken any secular busi- 
ness on the Lord's day (which was not absolutely and indispen- 
sably necessary,) that business never prospered and succeeded well 
with me. Always, the more closely I applied myself to the du- 
ties of the Lord's day, the more happy and successful were my 
business and employments, the rest of the week following." 



334 THE SABBATH. 

A BUSINESS MAN many years ago was traveling by the side of one 
of the western lakes in a stage which made its trips but once a week. 
The settlement was sparse, the road bad, and there was little trav- 
el. The Sabbath came. The question with him was not, what 
shall I do ? but others said, when he announced that he should 
proceed no farther, how then can you get along ? Yet there was 
but one course for him. Long hefore, he had made up his mind 
to rest on Sunday, leaving consequences with God. The stage 
went on, while he remained until Monday morning, when a 
gentleman drove up and offered to carry him on his journey; he 
was well accommodated with a seat, and it proved a saving of 
money. Thousands can testify to similar facts. As God provid- 
ed manna for two days on the sixth, so he will take care of 
those who keep his commandments. As nothing was gained by 
retaining the manna from one day to another, except, from the 
sixth to the seventh, so nothing will be gained by laying up the 
wages of unlawful labor. They will prove a curse instead of a 
blessing. It is always safe to obey God. When we toil on the 
Lord's day, we toil for nothing that can do us any good. 

A GENTLEMAN acquainted twenty-five years in New York, says, 
that those merchants of his acquaintance who have kept their 
counting rooms open on Sunday have failed without an excep- 
tion. 

Dr. Spurzheim says, " The cessation of labor one day in seven, 
contributes to the preservation of health, and to the restoration 
of the bodily powers. 

Journeymen printers, stage-drivers, boatmen, and all classes 
of men, who habitually labor seven days in a week, suffer much 
in their health and their morals. 

Mr. Schoolcraft, while examining the Upper Mississippi in 
1830 and 1832, with twenty men, says, that they performed 
their tours in less time than companies usually do, which travel 
on Sunday, though they uniformly suspended labor on that holy 
day. He was convinced that they gained much by resting one 
day in seven. 

" In the West Indies, slaves were required to labor six days 
in the week for their masters, and the seventh day for their own 
support. The consequence was, short life and feeble health." 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 335 

Nine days' labor in France, when the seven days' week was 
exchanged for a ten days' week, " increased the exhaustion of 
man, and diminished the aggregate amount of labor." 

Seven thousand journeymen bakers, of London and vicinity, 
have petitioned the House of Commons to be released from 
their burden of laboring nine hours every Sunday, after from 
fourteen to sixteen hours of labor on week days. From their 
constant employment they suffer greatly in health. 

It appeared in evidence before the Sabbath Committee of Par- 
liament in regard to each branch of busmess in London, that in 
proportion to their disregard of the Sabbath, was the wretched- 
ness and immorality of those engaged in it. Is not the same 
true of this and every other country ? 

Mr. Vyse of Birmingham, England, stated before the Sabbath 
Committee of the British Parliament, that he had taken one 
hundred and twenty horses, and nine or ten coaches off the 
road on Sunday, and that while his horses were allowed to rest 
one day in seven, he had no occasion to replenish their number 
in three months ; but when they labored seven days in a week, 
he was obliged to buy every week. The same man says, he 
found that those persons who neglected that holy day, fell into 
bad habits, were led on from vice to vice, and generally ended 
in coming to misery and want. 

The Lord Bishop of Chester stated, before the same commit- 
tee, that he once knew a man who kept his shop open on Sun- 
day. When his minister remonstrated with him, he would 
reply, (though convinced of his error,) ' Why, I cannot afford it ; 
for I sell more on the Sunday than all the other days of the 
week put together.' His mind, however, changed, and he 
closed his shop on that day, and so kept it closed for six months. 
When the clergyman called on him again, and wished to know 
the result. He said — ' Sir, to tell you the truth, I have taken 
more money in the six months since I shut up my shop on the 
Sunday, than I did in any one year before, since I was in 
business.' 

The Rev. J. W. Cunningham, in evidence before the Commit- 
tee, says, he knows the result of an examination as to the 
quantity of work done, and the money expended in a public in- 



336 THE SABBATH. 

stitution, employing more than two thousand laborers. For a 
certain number of years these laborers were employed on the 
Sabbath. After the death of the individual who presided over 
the institution during this arrangement, his successor determined 
to dispense with Sunday labor — which was done : and by a most 
careful examination of the amount of labor performed durmg the 
two periods, it was ascertained that more work was done in the 
same portion of time, when they worked but six days, than 
there was when they worked seven days in a week. This was 
imputed to two causes : in the first place, to the demoralization 
of the people under the first system ; and in the second place, to 
the exhaustion of their bodily strength, which was visible to the 
most casual observer. The same individual says, in relation to 
those who desecrate the Sabbath — the worst moral, civil, and 
political consequences, appear to me to follow, from the breach 
of the Sabath. 

Mr. Thomas George, before the same Committee, said, the 
following different trades in London, had been canvassed by 
himself and others, connected with the Sabbath Protection So- 
ciety, viz : — ^butchers, bakers, drovers, poulterers, poultry cooks, 
confectioners, undertakers, publicans, ship, wagon, and coach 
proprietors, hairdressers, cheesemongers, grocers, chandlers, 
coffin-makers, watermen, bargemen, tobacconists, newsmen, 
prmters, fishmongers, fruiterers, green-grocers ; and that a vast 
majority of them would be delighted with a measure, provided 
it were general, to secure them against pecuniary loss, by a 
general observance of the Sabbath. One would not stop unless 
all did ; and all felt that it was degrading for them to work on 
Sunday, and that they had a right to a day of rest, as well as 
other men. 

Mr. WiLLiAlM McKechney said, he had visited at least ten 
thousand shop-keepers of various descriptions in and about Lon- 
don, relative to a general cessation of all business on Sunday, and 
that two thirds of them were in favor of it. 

A man who is not allowed to rest on Sunday, is deprived of a 
privilege enjoyed by others. He is injured, and feels injured by 
the practice. Doubtless, if every man in this nation were to 
have the question put to him, would you prefer to have no labor 



ADDRESS TO BUSmESS MEN. 337 

done on Sunday, nine- tenths of them would answer in the affirm- 
ative. The great difficulty now seems to be, to fix on a day 
when all shall stop, and to induce all to agree to it, at once. Go 
to one class to day, and they will say, we will give up our labor 
on the Lord's day, if others of our occupation will \ and so it is 
with all. 

INTELLECTUAL POWERS, 

In the testimony of Dr. Richard Farre before the same 
Committee, there are some most important views, relating to 
this subject. Dr. Farre, in the early part of his life, had been 
the physician of a public medical institution. He had been 
engaged in Great Britain, in the study and practice of medicine 
forty years. 

This question was proposed to him, viz : Have you had oc- 
casion to observe the effect of the observance and non-observance 
of the seventh day of rest during that time? Ans, I have. I 
have been in the habit, during a great many years, of consider- 
ing the uses of the Sabbath, and observing the abuses of it. 
The abuses are chiefly manifested in labor and dissipation. The 
use, medically speaking, is that of a day of rest. As a day of 
rest, I view it as a compensation for the inadequate restorative 
power of the body, under continued labor and excitement. A 
physician always has^ respect to the preservation of the restora- 
tive power, because, if once this be lost, his healing office is at 
an end. He endeavors, physiologically, to show, that the Sab- 
bath is a necessary appointment. He says, a physician is anx- 
ious to preserve the balance of circulation, as necessary to the 
restorative power of the body. The ordinary exertions of man 
run down the circulation every day of his life, and the first gen- 
eral law of nature, by which God prevents man from destroying 
himself, is the alternating of day with night, that repose may 
succeed action. But although the night apparently equalizes 
the circulation well, yet it does not sufficiently restore its 
balance for the attainment of long life. Hence one day in seven, 
by the bounty of Providence, is thrown in as a day of compensa- 
tion, to perfect by its repose the animal system. You may easily 
determine this question as a matter of fact by trying it on beasts 
29 



338 THE SABBATH. 

of burden. Take that fine animal, the horse, and work him to 
ttie full extent of his powers, every day in the week, or give him 
rest one day in seven, and you will soon perceive, by the vigor 
with which he performs his functions, on the other six days, that 
this rest is necessary for his well-being. 

In man it is not so immediately apparent, but in the long run 
he breaks down more suddenly. 

He considers, that the Sabbath is not merely a precept, par- 
taking of the nature of a positive institution, but that it is among 
the natural duties, if the preservation of life be a duty, and the 
premature destruction of it a suicidal act. 

He remarks, that this is said simply as a physician, and with- 
out reference at all to the theological question ; but if you con- 
sider further the proper effect of real Christianity, namely, peace 
of mind, confiding trust in God, and good will to man, you will 
perceive in this source of renewed vigor to the mind, and through 
the mind to the body, an additional spring of life, imparted from 
this higher use of the Sabbath, as a holy rest. 

He goes on the ground that tlffe mind, as well as the body, 
needs relaxation and repose, or a change of occupation, as often 
as one day in seven ; that the mind when vigorously employed 
in business six days, will be injured by continuing in that em- 
ployment beyond that period, before it is suffered to relax its 
powers ; and that leaving business and engaging in dissipating 
amusement, does not afford all that aid and that kind of aid, 
which its constitution demands. He states that he had known 
many senators, and others in the higher walks of life, who hur- 
ried themselves to the grave by excessive mental effort. 

It is to be regretted that our limits will allow us to make but 
one more quotation from this testimony. " In all that I have 
said," he remarks, " I have reference in my views of the Sab- 
bath, to it, as a sustaining, repairing, and healing power." 

Dr. Farre is not alone in the belief, that both mind and body 
need the rest of the Sabbath. Dr. Rush says, " If there were no 
hereafter, individuals and societies would be great gainers by 
attending public worship. Rest from labor in the house of God 
winds up the machine of the soul and body, better than any 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 339 

thing else, and thereby invigorates it for the labors and duties of 
the ensuing week." 

The mind of man needs rest, or relief— a change of objects, and 
the Sabbath brings such relief While constant labor destroys 
the physical powers of man and beast, intense application of the 
mental powers cannot long be endured, without sensible injury. 
What scholar does not know the folly of undertaking to solve a 
difficult problem in mathematics, when the mind has long been 
taxed to the extent of its powers ? And where is the business 
man, whose mind has been intensely on his employment, day 
and night, for six days, who does not need a season of rest ? 
There can be no doubt, that many individuals, possessing strong 
minds, have become insane, in consequence of constant and un- 
remitted attention to worldly business. Doubtless, if the true 
cause could be known, why so many merchants of large capital 
and extensive business have failed, it would be found, that in 
many instances, it was the result of so intense and uninterrupted 
attention to business, that their minds became deranged, or unfit 
prudently and skillfully to manage their affairs. It would not 
be difficult to prove, with the force of demonstration, by incon- 
trovertible facts and arguments, that the man who disregards 
and profanes the Sabbath, injures his own person and property, 
and the commuDity in which he lives. 

The Mae-quis of Londonderry, not many years since, de- 
stroyed his life in a state of mental derangement. He was 
prime minister, and entrusted by the king with the principal 
concerns of the government. He observed no Sabbath. His 
mind, on Sundays as on other days, was alike burdened, but its 
burden was too heavy long to be borne. It hurried him to mad- 
ness and the grave. 

WiLBERFORCE Said, he could never have accomplished so 
much public business as he did, but for the rest of the Sabbath. 
Many who began with him in life, had found a premature grave, 
or become maniacs, and put an end to their existence, by vio- 
lating the law of nature, and of nature's G-od, in regard to the 
rest of the Sabbath. 

In the last great day, it will doubtless be seen, that some of 
the most splendid fortunes and gigantic intellects have been 



340 THE SABBATH. 

mined b\' a disregard of the day of rest. The Sabbath-breaker, 
like the drunkard, is destroying himself, body and soul, for time 
and eternity. 

We have looked at the necessities of man as a physical and 
intellectual being. We find him like a clock constructed to run 
a certain time, and then needing to be wound up again, in order 
to answer the end for which it was made. Man's whole na- 
ture is constructed so that he can engage in vigorous employ- 
ment six days, and but six at a time. If by any means he is 
induced to prolong such exertion, he does it at his peril. If 
often repeated, both body and mind will naturally and unavoid- 
ably suffer, and even run down. 

MORAL POWERS. 

Sabbath-breaking not only wastes property and the physical 
powers of animal nature, and deranges the mental faculties of 
men, but it leads to crime and disgrace. Blackstone says, " a 
corruption of morals usually follows a profanation of the Sab- 
bath." 

In the State Prison of Connecticut, it is said ninety out of a 
hundred of its inmates, at the time of the investigation, had 
been habitual Sabbath-breakers. In that of Massachusetts, one 
hundred and eighty- two out of two hundred end fifty- six were 
also of that character. 

We quote again from the testimony brought before the Sab- 
bath Committee of the British House of Commons. Rev. Da- 
vid RuELL, before the committee, stated, that he was chaplain 
of New Prison, Clerkenwell, and formerly chaplain of the house 
of correction, Coldbath Fields — he had been thus employed 
twenty-eight years — had had annually pass under his care, not 
less than seven thousand prisoners ; and during his chaplaincy, 
at least one hundred thousand. He says he made it a point of 
seeing in private those who were charged with capital offences, 
and does not recollect a single case, among them all, where the 
party had not been a Sabbath-breaker, and in many cases they 
had assured him, that Sabbath-breaking was the first step in 
their course of crime. 

He says, " I may say in reference to prisoners of all classes, 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 341 

that nineteen out of twenty of them have neglected the Sabbath." 
He refers to the case of the Cato street conspirators, who were 
also of that class. 

Mr. John Wontner, then for ten years keeper of Newgate, 
and six years a marshal of the city of London, said, he had 
heard many of the prisoners express their regret that their crimes 
had originated with a breach of the Sabbath. He thinks nine- 
tenths of them did not value the Sabbath. 

Mr. Benjamin Baker, who had been for twenty years in the 
habit of visiting prisoners in Newgate, stated that the prisoners, 
almost universally, had acknowledged, that the deviation from 
the fourth commandment led them on, step by step, into that 
degree of crime, which had brought them there, and that the 
great cause of their misconduct had been the neglect of the Sab- 
bath. Nine out of ten have dated the principal part of their 
departure from God, to the neglect of that day. 

The same committee state in their report, that innumerable 
unhappy individuals, who have forfeited their lives to the of- 
fended laws of their country, have confessed that their career in 
vice commenced with Sabbath-breaking, and neglect of religious 
ordinances. 

APPEAL TO INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE. 

Many other facts from the report of this Committee might be 
given, and also from other sources. But we forbear ; and call 
upon men, individually, to look back upon the Sabbath-breakers 
whom they knew in their youth and early days. Where now 
are the majority of them? Are they intelligent, moral, respect- 
able, influential ? It is not believed many of them are, if they 
have continued till the age of forty, or even thirty years in the 
same practice. The road of the Sabbath- breaker is the road to 
ignorance, crime, degradation, and contempt. Look again. 
What good have such individuals done in the wjild ? Have 
they been philanthropists — true, valuable patriots ? Are they 
the friends of the poor, of the Church, of God, and of the world ? 
Look at companies, who habitually profane the Lord's day. 
And what is their moral influence on society ? 

Look into those neighborhoods, where no Sabbath is religiously 
29^ 



342 THE SABBATH. 



Lie f 



observed, and what is the character of the inhabitants ? Are 
they fit to be at the helm of our government ? Would they 
sustain our free institutions ? Would they make suitable guar- 
dians of youth— good teachers in our seminaries of learning ? 
Are they good neighbors ? Do they live peaceably ? Are they 
sober, cleanly, industrious? How do their fields and fences 
look ? Are their buildings in good order, or in a state of dilapi- 
dation ? Look at such a neighborhood, and compare it with 
one where the Sabbath is duly observed — and then you will be 
able to judge of the qualifications of a Sabbath- breaking people 
to govern a republic. 

HOW IS IT WITH NATIONS ? 

Let US glance now at nations, and see what we can gather 
from their history, as to the importance of observing a Sabbath. 
Communities flourish and decay, and what is the cause of this 
prosperity and declension ? Turn your eye to nations which 
once observed a Sabbath, but now do not. Where are those 
nations ? Without an exception, they have gone down to the 
darkness of paganism, or are rapidly hastening thither. And 
on the other hand, where is the nation or people, that conscien- 
tiously and strictly regarded this institution, however small they 
might have been at first, which has not risen to greatness, wealth, 
honor, and power ? 

Look at the nations of the East. See the darkness which 
broods over not less than five-eighths of the entire population 
of our globe. What is the cause of it ? No satisfactory answer 
can be given, but that they are v/ithout the Christian religion, 
sustained and cherished by the institution of the Sabbath. Nor 
can they ever rise to prosperity and peace, until cheered by the 
rays of divine truth, promulged and sustained through the in- 
fluence of that day. 

Spain, centuries ago, was great and powerful ; and so long as 
she observed the Sabbath, remained so. But when she began 
to profane that day, she began to fall — and where now is Spain ? 
Sinking in ignorance, superstition and pollution. 

France, while she was observing her tenth day Sabbath, 
was one continued scene of commotion and bloodshed ; and long 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 343 

ere this, had she not sought the aids of that religion which she 
had despised, and endeavored to abolish, and welcomed its re- 
turn and the weekly Sabbath, she would have been beyond the 
reach of any human arm to save her. Even now, there seems 
to be, with her, a mighty struggle between the powers of dark- 
ness and the influence of Protestant light and liberty, 

England, when she most disregarded the holy Sabbath, was 
evidently on the retrograde. It was " when the Puritans 
preached against dancing, bow-shooting, and other licentious 
sports on Sunday, and were forbidden by King James, to hinder 
the people from these practices, and other similar harmless 
recreations on that day, that London was visited with the plague. 
In this corrupt state of morals, it swept away in that city, 
almost seventy thousand, and in one week when it raged most, 
more than seven thousand." England had been warned and 
punished before, but she would not reform. Scotland and 
Wales have not suffered quite so much for this sin, for they 
have been less guilty. 

But the nation that is now free, intelligent, powerful, and 
happy, owes its prosperity to the influence of the gospel, which 
is sustained and perpetuated by the instrumentality of the 
Sabbath. 

Our Forefathers, when they sought an asylum in the wilds 
of America, were, from principle, a Sabbath-keeping people, 
and we have been such until within a few years ; and where 
was there ever a nation, that enjoyed such uninterrupted pros- 
perity ? In looking over the history of the past, we cannot find 
an instance of great temporal and spiritual prosperity, where 
the Sabbath has not been duly observed ; nor can we find an 
instance of general imbecility, ignorance, crime, poverty, wretch- 
edness, anarchy, dilapidation, and ruin, where that day has been 
duly kept. God has always honored that day, by rewarding 
those who sanctified it, with great blessings. It is easily proved 
from past history, that nations and communities have prospered 
in exact proportion to the manner in which they observed a 
Sabbath. No nation or community, profaning that day, can long 
prosper. It is impossible in the nature of things. Heathen 
nations have no day of holy rest. Where ignorance and super- 



344 THE SABBATH. 

stition reign, there the Sabbath is not honored. But, where that 
day is observed, as a day of rest and religious worship, there is 
freedom, intelligence, comfort, peace. The throne of the des- 
pot, and the chains of the oppressed, cannot stand before the 
influence of that benign institution. But let us be a little more 
specific. 

Without the influence of a Sabbath, duly observed, the reli- 
gion of the Bible cannot be sustained. Indeed, blot out the 
Sabbath, or let it be devoted to business, amusement and dis- 
sipation, and in less than a century, the Bible would be des- 
troyed, or cast among the rubbish of by-gone ages ; our churches 
would be disbanded, our temples of worship converted into 
temples for the " goddess of reason," and theatres of pollution 
and crime ; our seminaries of learning, alms-houses, asylums, 
and places of refuge would be tenantless, or filled with Baccha- 
nals. In vain should we look for the hand of kindness, to wipe 
the death-drop from the face of the dying, or to point the wan- 
derer to the haven of glory. In vain should we listen for the 
voice of supplication, in behalf of a bleeding church, and the 
deathless soul ; the gloom of an eternal night would gather 
around, and a world be sinking to perdition. 

WHAT IF THE SABBATH WERE BLOTTED OUT? 

Let us suppose for a moment, that the Sabbath, in this nation, 
were blotted out, — that, as some men have foolishly and wick- 
edly wished, every Christian in our land should now go to the 
grave. By the word Christian^ we mean such as love the Sab- 
bath, the Bible, Sabbath schools, our benevolent societies, and 
the house of religious worship — who contribute of their money 
and their influence, to establish and sustain these institutions. 
Let none be left, but the man who will not remember the Sab- 
bath day to keep it holy. Who, we ask, would wish to live 
in such a community ? Who would build school houses, and 
instruct in the arts and sciences ? Who assemble in our 
churches ? Who would erect and sustain alms-houses, orphan 
asylums ; and teach the young and rising generation to walk in 
the ways of virtue and peace ? 

Bid ever the arts and sciences long exist and flourish, in a 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 345 

community where the Sabbath had done nothing, and was not 
doing much for them? Is domestic happiness enjoyed, where 
there are no Sabbaths observed ? Are the rights of females 
regarded, and their persons protected, where the Sabbath is not 
known ? Are parents lovers of their children, and are children 
dutiful and affectionate to their parents ? Are the rights of the 
poor regarded ? Are men moral, chaste, sober, benevolent, in- 
dustrious, and patriotic, where the Sabbath is contenoned ? In 
such places, are men considered free and equal ? Does each 
seek the good of others ? For an answer to these inquiries, 
ask the inhabitants along the Ganges, or on the isles of Borneo, 
and of the South Pacific. 

The strong arm of despotism may, for a while, keep under and 
control an ignorant, degraded people; but civil and religious 
liberty can never be established and sustained, without the aid 
of the Sabbath ; and every act of Sabbath desecration serves to 
weaken the foundations of a free government. Sabbath-breaking) 
since it tends to immorality and wretchedness, shortens and em- 
bitters human life. Where there is no Sabbath there is no 
permanent good? 

Who would be willing to exchange the Sabbath for days of 
pagan festivities, rites, and ceremonies ? Who would exchange^ 
the Bible of the Christian, for the Koran of Mohammed, or the 
Shasters of the Brahmin ? Who exchange the pure, exalted, 
ennobling, and dignified worship of the one living and true God, 
for the base, sordid, and degrading worship of the almost num- 
berless Hindoo gods? Who would subject himself to the hor- 
rors of the ten persecutions, or those of the feast of Bartholomew, 
as witnessed in France, in 1572, when sixty thousand Protestants 
were murdered, by those who would not keep a Sabbath ? Think 
of her civil wars, during which, " in the beginning of the seven- 
teenth century, more tlian a million of men lost their lives ; 
nine cities, four hundred villages, two thousand churches, two 
thousand monasteries, and ten thousand houses, were burned or 
destroyed, besides the many thousands of men, women, and 
children, that were cruelly butchered; and one hundred and 
fifty millions of livres were spent in carrying forward these 
slaughters and devastations." This is a part of the history of 



346 THE SABBATH. 

that nation which dared follow the counsel of the execrable 
and inhuman' Robespierre and his coadjutors; which feared not 
to burn the Bible, introduce the decades, and attempt to extir- 
pate the Christian religion. Similar scenes have been acted 
over, whenever an attempt has been made to abolish the Sab- 
bath. The late mobs and riots in our country, indicate ap- 
proaching judgments, not altogether dissimilar. 

But what are we doing on the Sahhath^ and who are they that 
are doing it ? 

We are running stages, carrying and opening mails, running 
boats, freighting goods, carrying passengers, lading and unlad- 
ing vessels, printing papers, driving and butchering cattle, hogs, 
and sheep, riding in rail cars, omnibuses, hacks, sulkies, writing 
and doing business in our counting-rooms, warehouses, custom- 
house offices, and a thousand other things, that God has forbid- 
den, and which tend to keep us from his house, and drive away 
from our minds all sense of obligation to him, and reverence of 
the holy day. 

This work is not done only by the poor, who most need rest 
and instruction, but many rich men are now attending to their 
business, as much on Sunday as on other days ; and the unavoid- 
able result of all this must be, unless soon checked, to blot out 
our Sabbaths. Then we may bid farewell, not only to our reli- 
gion, but our liberties, our virtue, our morality, our happiness 
here and hereafter. 

DANGER TO BE APPREHENDED. 

Let the Sabbath be trampled under foot by this people, some 
ten or twenty years longer, and let the present annual increase 
of Roman Catholic immigration, which is said to be an hundred 
and fifty thousand, be doubled a few times in that period, and 
added to the seven hundred thousand already among us ; to them 
add the millions in this nation who shall then be unable to read, 
and the enemies of the Sabbath generally, and tell us, whether 
it would be difficult for such a phalanx, headed by a Nero or a 
Robespierre, to vote away our Sabbaths and our religion; pillage 
our dwellings ; ravish our wives and our daughters ; and butcher 
every man, woman, and child who embraced the Protestant re- 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN. 347 

ligion ? Many in the city of New- York, during the riots last 
summer, were heard to wish, that every Protestant church in 
that city were in ashes, and every Christian drowning in the 
dock. 

We already begin to experience the judgments of heaven, in 
consequence of sin ; and great will be the guilt, and awful the 
doom of the individual, or the community, that persists in those 
practices which render it necessary for Grod to come out in judg- 
ments against a people. Dare any person take the responsibility 
of contributing to the contiouance of a sin, which is fraught 
with so much danger to individuals and communities ? 

If Sabbath-breaking then, tends to weaken the physical pow- 
ers of man, derange his intellect, contaminate his morals, waste 
his property, and shorten life, there can be no doubt that this na- 
tion, so long as the present system of Sabbath operations is con- 
tinued, is in imminent danger. If Sabbath profanation brings 
down upon an individual, a community, or a nation, the displea- 
sure of our Maker, and if all nations and people, who have been 
guilty of it, and have not repented, have gone, or are going to 
ruin, surely, while we practise this sm, we have every reason 
to be alarmed. 

Such consequences of this sin, seem to be perfectly natural, 
and to the critical observer unavoidable ; for the whole man, 
physically and mentally, his property, health and life, are the 
property of the nation. When in their most healthy and vigor- 
ous state, the nation is the most powerful, wise, and prosperous. 
But let these be weakened, deranged, or destroyed, by any means, 
and the nation is injured ; and if the government cannot be sus- 
tained without them in their most perfect state, we are in 
danger. 

No nation ever rose and prospered, in wealth, intelligence, vir- 
tue, peace, and power, without the aid of the Sabbath ; and no 
nation ever continued long in such prosperity without its aid. If 
these remarks are applicable to nations generally, much more to 
republican governments. 

Let every man, therefore, who values the Sabbath, and would 
remove the great evil of its desecration, earnestly and respect- 
fully petition Congress, without delay, to repeal the law requir- 



348 THE SABBATH. 

ing labor on Sunday in the Postoffice Department. Our Sab" 
baths ivill never be duly observed^ while that law is in force. It is 
an unreasonable law, an unjust law — injurious to those connect- 
ed with the Postoffice Department, and thousands of others ; un- 
necessary, because a mail six days in the week, is as often as we 
need one, since we are required to rest from all secular cares on 
the Sabbath ; unreasonable, because such a law, complied with, 
brings innumerable evils upon our land, and exposes us to the 
with erinsT judgments of heaven. 

They should also petition the States to prevent labor being 
done on their canals and railroads, on that day. For why should 
a State receive into its treasury money acquired by labor on Sun- 
day ? Christians will not labor for money on that day ; they 
will not engage an individual to labor for money, and pay them 
on that day ; and why should they suffer companies of men to 
labor for them ? It is their duty to ask the States, to prevent it, 
on their roads, &c. 

Legislators are bound not only to enact laws to punish offend- 
ers, but to prevent doing those things which tend to the injury of 
individuals, or the community. Neh. xiii. 15-22. Traveling 
and labor on these public thoroughfares, must therefore be pre- 
vented^ before we can see the Sabbath observed. 

Our nation need but look at this subject to be induced to come 
to the aid of a neglected and profaned Sabbath. Let us there- 
fore present the subject to them, fully, respectfully and repeated- 
ly ; that our land may be clear from this sin, and safe from im- 
pending judgments. 

Business men in this republic, are you willing, by desecrating 
the Sabbath, to make sure and hasten the day of terror and of 
death ? Will you now pursue such a course as will render it 
necessary for your then, perhaps^ orphan children and your 
widows, to seek shelter in lands, now heathen, where they may 
be more safe and secure, as Bonaparte told Lafayette, it would be 
more for his health to retire from Paris to his estate ? In your 
thirst for wealth and influence, are you not in danger of overlook- 
ing the only means which can preserve your own happiness and 
safety, and that of your friends, and of this nation ? If labor and 
amusements be continued on the Sabbath, it will be utterly im- 



ADDRESS TO BUSINESS IVIEN. 349 

possible to prevent wickedness from overrunning the land, and 
anarchy from distracting the people. There is but one alterna- 
tive ; Sabbath profanation must cease^ or our liberties^ and our 
religion are lost. We would rather be a subject of the autocrat 
of Russia, and dwell among the snows and frosts of Siberia, or 
under the rod of the veriest despot upon earth, than remain in 
this nation, now so highly favored, when God shall, for the 
sin of profaning his day, dash her in pieces "like a potter's 
vessel." There are already many conflicting passions and inter- 
ests among us, hard to be controlled, even in this day of Chris- 
tian restraint ; but what will be our condition, when this re- 
straint shall have been withdrawn, and we shall be given up, 
like a tempestuous ocean, to the winds and storms of intestine 
dissensions ; wave dashing against wave, until our Union is brok- 
en, and we become our own executioners ? 

What, we ask, without the principles of the Bible, the fear 
of a future retribution, kept alive by the influence of a Sabbath, 
can keep, even in this country, our property, our reputation, and 
our lives, from the outrages of a mob ? In this state of things, 
is it possible that rational, intelligent men will trample under 
foot the only institution that can save us? Our Republican 
Government cannot save us. That depends on the morality, 
intelligence, and religion which the Bible presents, through the 
medium of the Sabbath, as our only hope, for safety and perpe- 
tuity. So long as our religion and our Sabbaths save us^ we 
shall save our government, and that will save us no longer. 

The professional men, mechanics, and agriculturists of this 
nation, have formed themselves into a kind of copartnership, to 
erect a mighty superstructure, whose influence shall be felt un- 
til every despot shall be dethroned, and light and life, liberty 
and peace, bless the entire family of man. They are brave men, 
republican men ; and their bond of union is the Constitution of 
these United States. To the accomplishment of this great and 
desirable object, every man, and every class oi men among us, 
owe their best services. But, if what has been said be true, 
then, surely, the man who wantonly desecrates the Lord's day 
cannot be a valuable partner in such a firm ; but, on the con- 
trary, like the gangrene, which, left to its natural tendency, pro- 
30 



350 THE SABBATH. 

duces inevitable death, will not only jeopard the dearest inter- 
ests of all his partners, and reduce this nation to the condition of 
. Pagans ; but cut off the world's last hope of liberty, and doom 
his family and friends to worse than the kraal of the Hot- 
tentot. 

We see, then, that the man Avho desecrates the Lord's day is 
injuring himself, the community, and the nation in which he 
lives. If he labor seven days in a week, his physical powers 
are weakened, and the nation loses his most vigorous bodily 
efforts. He impairs his intellect and corrupts his morals, and 
the nation loses the wisdom and salutary influence which he 
might otherwise have exerted on it. The man who wantonly 
profanes that day must necessarily lose propert}^, injure himself, 
his family, his friends, his neighbors, and dishonor Grod. But 
by duly observing it, he gains in bodily and mental health, and 
his business is done with greater ease and more correctness. 
Besides, the horse and the ox, which toil for our benefit, will be 
in better plight to perform their task ; and all around will be 
comfortable and happy. 

We see no necessity for labor on the Sabbath. Let all busi- 
ness be suspended on the day of rest, and it can be done better in 
six days ; the same price will be paid for doing it, and to the 
same individuals. But Sabbath-breaking leads to wretched- 
ness here, and to perdition hereafter. By it a man loses all 
that is valuable in this life and in the life to come, and gains no- 
thing but poverty, ignominy, and all the evils which can possi- 
bly be entailed on a human being. 

Let us now ask business men, with the history of fallen king- 
doms and lost generations, and the word of God before you, 
dare you live without a Sabbath ? Would you blot it out if yoii 
could ? If you continue to labor on that day, and cause others 
to do so, you need not expect to escape the doom of other Sab- 
bath-breakers, for that will be impossible. We infer this, from 
well authenticated facts, corresponding exactly with the divine 
prediction. 

Would you have your children^ too, left without a day of rest ? 
Then continue the practice of labor, carrying and opening the 
mail, running stages, boats and railcars ; lading and unlading 



ADDRESS TO BUSmESS MEN. 351 

boats and vessels on that day, and it will most certainly be ac- 
complished. 

But while you continue this practice, few spiritual blessings 
will descend upon the communities where it is most witnessed ; 
there will be few reviyals of religion, and few inquiring the way 
to eternal life. What advantage can you derive from all this toil 
and anxiety for a little worldly good, procured at the displeasure 
of Him who gave you your being, and will soon call you to an 
account ? What will compensate you, in the hour of dissolution 
and at the judgment, for all that you have lost by this disobedi- 
ence ? Nothing, nothing. Then, as you value your present and 
everlasting happiness — the happiness of your iiriends and your 
children, and a dying world ; as you value the favor of God, and 
the glories of immortality, we beseech you not to rest, until the 
present system of Sabbath profanation is entirely done away. 

Cleveland^ Nov,^ 1834 



CHAPTER VIII. 

REVIEW OF THE REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF THE 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON THE SANCTIFICATION OF 
THE lord's day. 

The reviewer, during the last twenty years, has traveled 
some thousands of miles annually ; and his observations have 
not been limited to young or old, rich or poor, learned or igno- 
rant. His attention for many years has been particularly direct- 
ed to the manner in which the Lord's day is observed. And it 
is his deliberate opinion, that the cause of the Kedeemer was 
never, in this land, in so much danger as at the present time; 
and that from the influence of anti-Sabbath principles and con- 
duct. Now, is it not worth the little attention requisite, to see 
whether this opinion be correct? But, to the Report. 

At a meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church, convened at Pittsburgh, Pa., May, 1835, the subject of 
Sabbath desecration was presented to the Committee on Bills 
and Overtures, and by them to the Assembly. A Committee to 
consider and report on the subject was appointed by Dr. Phillips, 
Moderator of the Assembly, and the report, as presented by 
their chairman. Dr. Beman, is as follows : 

" Your Committee have devoted as much attention as circum- 
stances would permit, to the important matter entrusted to their 
consideration, and they are now prepared to lay before the As- 
sembly the result of their inquiries. One fact in relation to this 
subject, though painful and humiliating, cannot be disguised. 
The desecration of the Sabbath is increasing with unaccountable 
rapidity, in almost every part of our beloved country. And your 
Committee are constrained to expect, at no distant period, the 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 353 

entire obliteration of this holy day, unless something is speedily 
done to arouse the slumbering energies of the church, for the 
purpose of arresting the footsteps of this growing evil. While 
there may be, and probably are, a few places in which Sabbath- 
breaking has been checked, by the united influences of the pul- 
pit and of a salutary discipline, at least so far as the church is 
concerned, we have only to look into our large cities, in relation 
to this evil, glance the eye upon our navigable rivers, trace the 
long line of our canals, number the cars upon our numerous rail- 
roads, or listen to the perpetual rumblmg of stages upon our 
turnpikes, in order to be convinced that the profanation of the 
Sabbath is a sin of giant growth in our land. It is, indeed, a 
deep-seated and increasing evil. It enters into almost every 
commercial interest in the land, and embraces, directly or indi- 
rectly, in its broad sweep of mischief, a vast multitude of indi- 
viduals in the community, and not a few in the church of the 
living God. 

" The various ways in which the Sabbath is desecrated, are 
almost without number. But among reputable portions of the 
community, the most common is traveling u^on railroads, and in 
stages, and canals, and steamboats. 

*' In these humble conveyances may be found, upon the Sab- 
bath day, multitudes of ministers and lay members of the differ- 
ent Christian churches, and of that very branch of Zion, too, to 
which the members of this Assembly belong. It is with deep 
regret that your committee add, upon satisfactory evidence, that 
a number of the members of this Assembly, on their way to the 
place of meeting, traveled in the ordinary public conveyances on 
the Sabbath. Your Committee believe that the Bible and the 
history of the world fully justify and establish the following 
positions : 

" That the rest of the Sabbath is a wise and merciful pro- 
vision for the animal system : 

" That the sanctification of this day stands connected with the 
best interests of a nation : 

" That Christianity cannot prevail and triumph in an indi- 
vidual heart, or in the world, without the aids of the Sabbath : 

30* 



354 THE SABBATH. 

" That a nation without this institution must have already 
become, or will soon be, a nation of infidels : 

" That in our country, where the stability of our institutions 
depends upon the virtue and piety of the people, the moral 
power of the Sabbath is more imperiously demanded than any 
other : 

" And that the united influence of the Christian, the philan- 
thropist, and the patriot, is now called for, to remove existing 
evils in relation to the Sabbath, and to protect their institutions 
from future and more alarming desecration. 

" In view of the responsibility of this General Assembly, and 
especially to that branch of the church which we represent, 
your Committee recommend the adoption of the following reso- 
lutions : 

" 1. Resolved, That the General Assembly look upon the ex- 
isting and increasing violations of the Sabbath with unmingled 
sorrow; and we fully believe that the time is come for the 
friends of the Sabbath to make new and vigorous efforts to re- 
store this institution to its original purity. 

" 2. That this Assembly would affectionately recommend to 
the Synods, Presbyteries, and Church Sessions under their care, 
to take such order on this subject as, in their judgment, shall be 
best adapted to preserve the members of our churches from the 
sin of Sabbath- breaking. 

" 3. That this Assembly bear their decided testimony against 
traveling on any part of the Sabbath, and especially, as is some- 
times done, by members of this judicatory, on their way to the 
place of meeting. 

" 4. That, in the opinion of this Assembly, when ministers of 
the gospel travel, in steam or packet boats, on the first day of the 
week, they generally increase the evils of their example by 
preaching, or performing any other public religious services on 
board of these boats. Such services are calculated, not only to 
spread the knowledge of Sabbath-breaking by the minister, but 
also to quiet his own conscience, and the consciences of others, 
in traveling on the holy day of God. 

" 5. That when ministers, or other members of our churches, 
have been known to have traveled on the Sabbath, it shall be 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 355 

the duty of judicatories, to which they are amenable, to institute 
process against them for Sabbath-breaking. 

" 6. That, in the opinion of this Assembly, Christians who 
own stock in steamboats or packets, in turnpikes or railroads, or 
are concerned in the transportation of the mail, or in Postoffices, 
where the use of such stock, or the prosecution of such business 
involves the constant violation of the Sabbath, are guilty of a 
deliberate and systematic disregard of the fourth commandment, 
and ought to be dealt with accordingly. 

" 7. That this G-eneral Assembly recommend to the churches 
under their care, to observe the tJiird Thursday in November 
next, as a day of humiliation and prayer, in view of the sin of 
Sabbath-breaking ; and that the several inferior judicatories take 
order on the subject, and cause such religious exercises to be 
observed as may be deemed expedient, in different portions of 
the Presbyterian church within our bounds." 

It would seem that every Christian could adopt and publish 
to the world such a report. But what was the result ? After 
the report was read, it was moved and seconded that it be ac- 
cepted and laid on the table — ^no remarks — and the motion was 
carried. 

At a subsequent meeting the report was called up, and, after 
a second reading, with but few remarks on the conduct of those 
members who had traveled on Sunday to reach that place, the 
subject was indefinitely postponed. 

What the objections were to adopting this report, or substi- 
tuting something in its stead, is not known ; but we are very 
confident, that many members of that respectable body were in 
favor of the report. 

Little did we think, that one of the highest, most intelligent, 
and most influential ecclesiastical bodies in these United States, 
would so soon follow the wicked example of Congress, in re- 
fusing fully to consider this subject. For, when that day is 
secularized by ministers, not only in this, but in other denomi- 
nations, by lower officers in the church, and private members 
without number — when the soul of the good man is vexed, from 
week to week, and from year to year, by the contempt and dis- 
regard which, as it were, by common consent, are every where 



356 THE SABBATH. 

heaped upon that institution — when the children and youth of 
our land are taught, by the example of our statesmen, our jurists, 
our rich men, our business men, to trample that day in the dust 
— when large portions of our poor freemen, are now, by public 
consent, and common usage, under a bondage no less severe than 
the chains of the African, and compelled, week after week, 
month after month, and year after year, to labor on Sunday, as 
stage- drivers, boatmen, livery- tenders, innkeepers' domestics, 
Postoffice, warehouse, and custom-house clerks, and in many 
other ways; and that, too, with no additional wages as the re- 
ward, poor as it might be, for this extra toil — while private 
Christians, with only here and there an exception — while whole 
churches, and ecclesiastical bodies, from the highest to the low- 
est, are silent, and appear unconcerned on this subject, or say a 
little, and perhaps do nothing ; that that high judicatory of the 
church, the General Assembly, should refuse even to give their 
opinion, when earnestly solicited to do so — leaving the church 
and the world to conjecture, whether they intend to espouse the 
cause of the Sabbath, or to go over to the side of its enemies, is 
altogether unaccountable. 

Here is an evil, admitted by their own committee to be of 
"giant growth." Complaints are coming up to them, and the 
cry for help, to preserve an institution which is deemed of vital 
importance to the interests of the church, is raised, and all must 
be hushed, must be " indefinitely postponed,'''' and that, too, by a 
body of men to whom, with others, was committed that blessed 
day for safe keeping ! ! And when some of their number have 
transgressed, rather than call them to account, as Christians are 
bound by their covenant to do, this holy cause must be put by, 
and suffer, that the offenders may go away unimpeached ! 

We rejoice that all ecclesiastical bodies, and former General 
Assemblies, have not treated the subject in this manner; but 
still we must say, that, generally, though they have talked and 
resolved well, they have not done what they might have done 
to save this neglected, dishonored day. 

Hitherto, when efforts have been made to awaken a deeper 
interest in relation to this subject, obstacles have been thrown in 
the way, and difficulties have been presented and multiplied. 



REVIEW OF REiPORT. 357 

The cry from the far east has been, " You must not put forth 
any effort, which can be recognized as an attack on the evil of 
which we complain. If you send forth agents to preach against 
this sin, or if you publish a paper denouncing it, you will awaken 
an opposition which it will not be possible to withstand. "What 
is done, must be done silently," or, in other words, without 
doing any thing. Some, over all our land, were expressing these 
opinions ; and they were the opinions of the commissioned and 
highly honored servants of Jesus Christ — commanded to cry 
aloud and spare not, when sin of any kind is making its ravages 
among the institutions of the gospel. And what has been the 
eff'ect of all this ? Just what might have been expected. Most 
of those who wanted to cry aloud, have held their peace ; and 
the Sabbath has been trodden down and polluted so long, in so 
many ways, in such numberless instances, in high and low 
places, that we have almost forgotten that it is a sin to do so. 
The enemies of that day have been making converts to their 
sentiments, until they now feel that the day is nearly annihi- 
lated in many places, so far as its sanctity is concerned ; and 
continuing so a little longer, our religion will go along with it. 
They are not much mistaken in these opinions. It is believed 
that the greater part out of the church, and many in the church, 
are very sceptical, to say the least, about this day. And most 
ministers and people have, to such a degree, lost the sense of 
its sacredness, that a reformation is almost hopeless. We now 
connive at and indulge in many things, which, twenty years ago, 
few, however impious, would have dared to do. 

There is but little Sahhath in our nation, as will readily be 
seen by those who are on the lines of the canals, rail roads, turn- 
pikes, navigable rivers, sea-ports, and in our large cities and vil- 
lages. And where is the minister who has dared stand up in 
his place, and enumerate, one by one, all the ways in which 
this day is desecrated, and warn the off*enders of their guilt and 
approaching doom ? Who has done all he could for this cause ? 
We know there are difew who have done much ; but their num- 
ber is quite too small to make much impression upon such a 
dense crowd of Sabbath-breakers as now reaches from one ex- 



358 THE SABBATH. 

tremity of our land to the other. Yes, then' voice is lost in the 
din of business. 

Our youth, if they do not join with the infidel, in denying the 
Sabbath to be of divine appointment, or saying it was designed 
only for the Jews, have but little respect for the day ; for much 
that they see and hear is calculated to make them forget that 
God has said, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." 

Were we to hang up before every youth in this land, and there 
let them remain, all the obscene prints which have been accu- 
mulating these sixty centuries, think you that the next genera- 
tion could, under such circu?ristances, be a chaste and virtuous 
generation ? Would the fond parent manifest no anxiety for 
the safety and respectability of his child, while thus exposed ? 
or rather, would not every such person cry out, in the anguish 
of his soul, " Away with these foul, polluting, and debasing 
allurements of hell ; they are corrupting the minds of our youth, 
and turning away their feet from the paths of innocence and 
peace; — away with them, let not a single vestige remain." 

Now there are constantly before the eye of every youth and 
child in our land, many Sabbath-breaking establishments and 
men, who hahitually desecrate that day. And is it possible that 
these children should remain uncontaminated with their influ- 
ence ? It is not possible ; Sunday schools, Bible classes, and the 
fevj cold ajid heartless remonstrances to the contrary, notwith- 
standing. iVo, it is not possible. Poor human nature is poor 
human nature, at all times, and every where ; and if you would 
have it receive no harm, you must keep it out of harm's way. 

What should be thought of the minister of the gospel, who 
is not alarmed at this increasing, desolating evil, and neglects to 
warn the church and the world of their guilt and danger in con- 
sequence of it ? 

It should be known that the church are as much in the way 
of this reform, as the world are ; that most ministers do not 
plainly, affectionately, and fearlessly remonstrate with such of 
their hearers, as violate the sanctity of the Sabbath, by running 
boats, stages, rail cars, &c., and by compelling men to labor on 
that day of God, which he has commanded to be kept holy, not 
only by the master, but by the servant, the rich man, and the 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 350 

poor man ; — that few, if any, like Nehemiah, " cry aloud, and 
spare not," against the practice of transporting along our tho- 
roughfares, and bringing into our cities the mail, wares, and 
merchandise on that day of Eest — that few, if any, dare jeopard 
their living by reproving this sin in all its multifarious forms, 
and by speaking so loud and long, that their voice will be dis- 
tinctly heard by all the people over whom they are placed. 

In Ezekiel xxii. 26, we see that among the many wicked 
things which the priests had done, one was, that they " hid^heir 
eyes from" God's " Sabbaths." Also in the days of the prophets, 
men violated the Sabbath as they now do by transporting their 
wares and merchandise on that day ; and these two evils were 
considered sufficient to prompt Nehemiah to do all that he did 
to restore the rest of that day. And dare any minister, or pri- 
vate Christian, say that he is not now called upon, as loudly as 
Nehemiah was, to prevent the continuance of this evil ? No 
one can prove that the sin is not as great and common now, as 
it was then. And why do we not hear the voice of many Ne- 
hemiahs in all directions ? Doubtless, because there is a want 
of his spirit among us ; not because there are not as many and 
as urgent reasons, why we should do as he did. 

Oh, the apathy, the indifference on this subject, look which 
way we will, and to whom we will ! The only people who 
may be expected to preserve that institution, and see that it is 
handed down unimpaired to posterity, treat it with neglect, and 
cannot be aroused to make an effort to save it ! What, in view 
of these things, must be the feelings of pure spirits in heaven, 
and of God himself, toward such professors ? What ? Judge 
ye who are the appomied conservators of that day. 

But what can be the caase of this listlessness, this neglect to 
do the things which God commanded his people and ministers 
to do ! Last year, the reasons assigned were, " We have waited 
so long, and the enemy has got such a hold ; if we lift up our 
voice now^ if we cry aloud and spare not, we shall awaken an 
opposition, which will be too strong for us." As if our former 
neglect to do our duty, was an excuse for not doing it now, 
" No, Lord, we cannot ^o and preach the gospel to every crea- 



360 THE SABEATH. 

ture, for it will awaken an opposition against us, and we^ too, 
shall be taken and crucified !" 

What would Jesus Christ have said to such a reply from his 
disciples to his last command, " Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature ?" Doubtless, that they 
were determined, Judas-like, to prove traitors, and he would 
have spurned them from his presence as unworthy to be trusted 
with so important a commission. So doubtless he feels at this 
time, when his ministering servants make such an excuse for 
not obeying him. 

Let it now be said, though it is said in love, and with shame, 
and deep anguish of soul, that ministers generally, for years 
past, have by their neglect suffered the Sabbath to be so far 
converted into a day of amusement, and labor, that there is 
great reason to fear its genial influence will soon be changed 
for the frost and ice of deism; and that this nation, in conse- 
quence of it, will grope its way, pagan-like, to destruction ; and 
that too, before the present generation has all passed away. 
Nothing but a speedy and mighty effort among all the sons of 
Levi, can possibly prevent it — ^yet most of them are sleeping, 
and refuse to be awaked ! 

Another reason urged why we should not speak loud on this 
subject, is, that our nation by its laws and sanctions has virtually 
abolished the Sabbath. But this is one of the strongest reasons 
why ministers should have spoken long ago, and why they 
should now speak until they are heard ; for repentance, and the 
forsaking this sin is the only thing which can save us from utter 
ruin. This nation would never have dared do as it has done, in 
trampling on the law of the Sabbath, had ministers done as they 
were commanded to do. The children of Israel never would have 
made a golden calf for their god, at the foot of thundering Sinai, 
had Aaron remonstrated, and utterly refused to participate in 
the sin, or even to stay among them if they committed it. 
Wicked men will not ; no, they dare not, go faster or farther in 
any way than the ministry will lead or allow them to go. The 
whole of the present practices of Sabbath-breaking, are in a de- 
gree, chargeable to the church and the ministry, either by their 
neglect of what they should have done, or their doing what the 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 361 

should not. The influence of the ministry, we had almost said, 
is omnipotent; and why should it not be so? They are the 
only representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ here on earth, and 
if they are faithful, assisted by the power, and encouraged by 
the presence of their Master, who is with them " even unto the 
end of the world," what can they not do for the people over 
whom they are placed ? Think of this, ye ministers of Christ, 
young and old^ with one or ten talents, and know that, if the 
Sabbath in this land is converted into a day of amusement, dis- 
sipation, and business, as it now seems it soon will be, you, at 
the judgment, will be held in some measure responsible for it. 
For, had you done your duty, and your whole duty, when the 
first Sunday stage, and boat, and rail-car were started, by the 
application of G-od's truth to the consciences of the offenders, 
you might have prevented it. Had you also done your duty 
when the first Sunday mail was started, that would have been 
discontinued. 

The REASON MENTIONED why this subject should be *' indefi- 
nitely postponed," was, that " such a report" (alluding to some 
of the members traveling on Sunday to reach that place) " ought 
not to go forth against the members of this Assembly." Rather 
than disgrace some dozen or twenty members of that body as 
violators of the fourth commandment, let the Sabbath be dis- 
regarded. Our ministers and elders, who have traveled on 
Sunday, must be screened from censure ! So, let the Sabbath 
go — give it into the hands of its enemies— indefinitely postpone 
the subject, rather than that Sabbath-breakers should be exposed, 
or any one be at the trouble of prosecuting those who had been 
guilty of traveling on that day, which should have been done 
forthwith. Such things, winked at by such a body, will greatly 
tend to destroy our Sabbath. Men in the church who do such 
things, no matter how high they may stand, should come before 
the world with a confession of their guilt, and make known 
their determination not to do the like again. 

We have long witnessed, with painful emotions, the deso- 
lating inroads which have been making on the sacredness of 
this day ; have prayed and waited for some one to lift up his 
voice in its behalf; have put forth some feeble efforts to arouse 
31 



362 THE SABEATH. 

to action the slumbering energies of the church, but have la- 
bored, and prayed, and waited, almost in vain. 

Though we find friends of the institution, we do not find any 
who are able and ivilling to consecrate themselves wholly to the 
work of saving it from destruction. That it is going to destruc- 
tion, no man with his eyes open upon the facts in relation to it, 
can for a moment doubt. Would God every minister might 
see and feel the great demand which this subject has on his 
time, talents, influence, and best services, if the day is again to 
be restored to its primitive sacredness and quiet. Let no one 
think he may be excused from this demand ; it is laid upon him, 
and he is called upon to discharge it. Attend to this call noiv, 
in preference to any other, or all will sink together. 

Brethren, this is not the cause of him who now addresses 
you. You, at last, will not be summoned before him to answer 
for your treatment of this subject; but before that Eeing who 
commissioned you to preach the riches of his gospel ; which 
cannot prevail and bless the nations of the earth, unless th e 
Sabbath be sustained. If you believe that there is no danger of 
our being left with such a Sabbath as is witnessed in France, 
you are mistaken; there is danger, and you ought, standing 
upon your watch-tower, to see it, and sound the alarm. 

Oh, then, as you love your Master, who died to redeem you 
—as you love the flocks over which he has placed you — and as 
you love a dying world, tell us whether our nation has done right 
in requiring labor on Sunday — tell us whether individual States 
have a right to use their canals, railroads, and other public pro- 
perty; to make money on the holy Sabbath — tell us whether the 
stageman, the boatman, the rail-carman, the livery-man, is doing 
right, while laboring, and causing so many to labor, on that day 
— tell us whether the man of business, or party of pleasure, have 
a right to travel on Stmday — Let us know whether, in your 
estimation, these things are sinful. If such acts are sinful in 
the sight of God, why not tell us so, in so many words ? Why 
speak so much in generals, that none of these classes will admit 
that you intend to reprove them ? The Sunday-laborer and Sun- 
day pleasure-seeker, would as soon have you preach on the 
divine appointment, the perpetuity of the Sabbath, and its 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 363 

universal obligation on all men, in all ages of the world — they 
would as soon have you follow this old beaten track, as preach 
on any other subject. But when you take it for granted that 
there is, and always has been, and always will be, such an 
institution, whose observance is binding on all men — that we 
have for it a " thus saith the Lord," and that everlasting des- 
truction awaits the man who continues the enemy of that day — 
and when you tell him he greatly sins against G-od, against 
himself, and his fellow-men, in doing such and such things, call- 
ing each of them by their right name — ^^then it is that they will 
complain. Then you will find that most men, on this subject, 
are infidels. This particularizing^ ministers have not generally 
done, and they are not now doing it — and if they continue to 
neglect being thus specific in telling wherein we sin, and point- 
ing out the consequences of all this wickedaess, nothing less 
than the loss of our civil liberties, our religious privileges, of all 
that is dear in social life, and all that is glorious and blessed 
beyond the grave, must inevitably follow. 

The establishment of a few six-day lines of boats and stages 
— the writing of a few tracts and articles in newspapers — the 
employment of a few traveling agents, or publishing a paper to 
plead the cause of the Sabbath, will never, alone^ produce the 
desired reformation. It might serve to put in motion the wheel? 
to wit, the f reached word^ from the mouth of every minister) 
which would roll forward the desirable object ; but, without the 
assistance of every minister^ who has a reputation for piety, we 
can do little, or comparatively nothing, in this cause. If we do 
all the former things, without the latter, nothing is done — but 
we cannot do even those, without the aid of the latter. It is 
expected that the ministry will lead in every good object — we 
wish them to had in such objects, and we would humbly follow. 

Editors of religious periodicals are highly criminal in this 
thing. Most of them^ also, are ministers of the gospel ; and if 
those who watch over a few souls are traitors to their Master, 
while they do not faithfully rebuke the guilty, much more are 
those editors, who are every week preaching, not only to thou- 
sands of private Christians, but to ministers also; and if they 



364 THE SAEBATH. 

would do their duty, the church would be aroused, and this 
alarming evil driven from our midst. 

Better, no doubt, would it be, if not only ministers, but pious 
editors, who intend to remain silent on this subject, would re- 
move from their places, that they might either be occupied by 
those who would engage in this reform, or remain vacant. 
This should be done on their account, as well as on account of 
others, that thus they may avoid the guilt of neglect, and the 
church and the impenitent around, may not be cursed with un- 
faithful watchmen. 

Perhaps many will be ready to plead, that they are engaged 
in so many good objects already that they can find no time to 
engage in the Sabbath reform. Some find time to engage in 
"unprofitable disputes about forms and ceremonies, and unimport- 
ant points of doctrine, which are calculated to wound the pious 
feeling, and create jealousies and coldness among brethren; all 
of which might better be given up, even if one had nothing else 
to do; and especially now, since there is a work before us, which, 
if not taken hold of, and accomplished soon, cannot be done in 
many generations to come. 

Let the Sabbath-breaker be told, that he is already within the 
suction of a maelstrom, a tremendous whirlpool, drawing him 
on to destruction. " If thou seest the wicked man in his wick- 
edness, and will not warn him, he shall die in his sins, but his 
blood will be required at thine hands." How cruel, to see an 
immortal being in the road to inevitable destruction, and not 
warn him of his danger ! Surely, the blood of the watchman 
is not too great a sacrifice to be required for so criminal a neglect. 

Nehemiah could not successfully reprove for this sin, without 
particularizing. Neither can 3^ou. It is no less obstinate now 
than it was then. Buyers, and sellers, and trading men, were 
engaged in it then, as there are now ; and the church was then 
involved in the wickedness, as she is now. The temptations 
were the same then as now ; and only the means which proved 
successful then can succeed now. 

The great difficulty is, that men will not feel nor act on this 
subject. Ministers, sitting quietly by their domestic firesides, 
and riding over their little parish, seem to think that the rest of 



REVIEW OF EEPORT. 365 

the vjorld are as much a Sabbath-keeping people as themselves. 
Others are so much habituated to this evil, that they do not see 
the sin of it as they once did. There are some ministers, also, 
as in Ezekiel's time, whose eyes are hid from the Sabbath. 
These men travel on that day, and seem to care little or nothing 
whether it be observed or not. All this leads to fearful appre- 
hensions, that God is about to give this people over to work out 
their own destruction. We are willing to work in other things, 
whose success depends on the triumphs of the Sabbath reforma- 
tion, but to labor for this we seem to have no inclination. 

Ministers and private Christians do not stand by their brethren 
who would engage in this reform. If, when the enterprising, 
laborious, and holy Carey was about to go to India, he saw the 
necessity that his brethren, who staid at home, should " hold on 
to the rope" that was about to let him down into that " dark 
world," surely the man who now labors to stay the swelling, 
foaming, desolating flood of Sabbath-breaking, cannot be insen- 
sible to the absolute necessity of the best services, and most 
hearty co-operation of every brother and sister in Christendom. 
Criminal indeed must be the man or woman who will suffer 
the individual that has engaged in this Herculean task, to labor 
alone, and call in vain for the prayers and the sympathies of his 
brethren! The enemies he is called to encounter are more 
formidaUe^ if not more numerous, than those who assail the 
foreign missionary; and it must be more disheartening and 
humiliating to stand and suffer in the open field, annoyed by the 
enemy, calling in vain for help from those within one's sight, 
and abundantly able to succor, than to be thus afflicted and desti- 
tute in foreign lands, surrounded by vast oceans, dense forests, and 
savage men. Is it not denying Christ, to desert brethren in this 
way ? Surely it is, if they are engaged in a good cause. 

If the brethren of the church would aid those engaged in bring- 
ing about this reformation, they must, whenever a member of 
any church judicatory, or ecclesiastical body, or an agent of any 
benevolent society, or ministers of the gospel, or elders, or dea- 
cons, or class-leaders, or private Christians, travel on journeys, 
for business or for pleasure, go or send to the Postofhce, or do 
any work on Sunday, except works of mercy ; and whenever 
31* 



366 THE SABBATH. 

professed Christians hold stock in any Sabbath-breaking estab- 
lishment — they must represent the case of such delinquents to 
the church or judicatory to which they are amenable, and see 
that they are dealt with as in other cases of misdemeanor; and 
if they refuse, or neglect to make satisfaction, and reform — cut 
them off. If you would save the church, the world, or the souls 
of the aggressors, cut them off. No matter how great, how rich, 
how honored, or how influential they may be, cut them off with- 
out delay. 

It is believed that, until this course is pursued, the evil will 
never be removed. Many other means have been tried of late 
but with no good effect. If churches or ecclesiastical bodies re- 
fuse to notice those cases which may be represented to them, 
complain of them to higher bodies, to which they may be ame- 
nable, and let the professor of religion know, that if he intends 
to desecrate the Sabbath, he must go without the pale of the 
church to do it. 

Many such offending brethren have been thus reported to the 
churches and judicatories to which they belong, and that has 
been the end of it. But if ministers, set to watch over such 
bodies, had done their duty — had performed their covenant vows 
— it would not have been so. Then let every man among us 
who will pollute the Sabbath, be subjected to discipline, and the 
reform will be realized. Christians m.ust first be made to reve- 
rence this day; they should be made to do so, or leave the 
church. It is believed that nothing short of these measures can 
remove the evil. It must be inferred from the report, that this 
is the course which the Assembly's committee would recom- 
mend, and that these opinions are entertained by them. It cer- 
tainly will not do to let the evil alone ; it never will cure itself; 
and if the church cannot be induced to sanctify that day, as is 
required, surely we need not expect the world to do it. 

The first attempt to establish a Sunday mail in our country 
never could have succeeded, had each minister, from his watch- 
tower, sounded the alarm, given to people and rulers the truth of 
God, and shown them that such measures, if persisted in, must 
unavoidably prove the ruin of this nation. Nothing could have 
deterred the friends of these measures, but the truth of God, 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 367 

plainly, boldly, and perseveringly proclaimed. This would have 
deterred them. 

So with regard to the first stage, and boat, and rail-car, that 
were started on Sunday. At that moment every minister ought, 
with the Bible in his hand, to have cried " Treason ! Treason ! 
Death, temporal and eternal, is before you." 

If these men had still persisted in their sin, against themselves, 
against their country, and against high heaven, you should have 
withdrawn from them, every one of you — have had no fellow- 
ship with them, though it might have cost you your daily bread, 
and your life even ; and you should have ceased not, day nor 
nighty as long as you could whisper the voice of warning, to tell 
others that this way was the way to wretchedness and to hell ; 
and that a holy God will not suffer the rebels to go unpunished. 
In this way the Sabbath might then have been saved. 

We know that there was not entire silence on this subject at 
that time. Some voices, here and there, were raised ; but there 
was no simultaneous, universal, and undying blast heard. The 
few notes which were raised were soon lost in the hum of busi- 
ness — and the interval between them was so great, that one had 
long died away before another fell upon the ear. 

But the evil is now one of "giant growth." Though then it 
might have been met and conquered with ease and safety, it is 
at least douUful whether it can be now. But, notwithstanding, 
it must be met, it must be courageously, skillfully, and persever- 
ingly opposed. While things remain as they are, every Chris- 
tian, in common with his countrymen, is in danger of losing the 
benefits of our institutions, civil and religious, and privileges, 
bought by the toil, sweat, and blood of the fathers of our country. 

If it should be asked. How is this evil now to be met, we would 
answer, by the same means recommended above, as suitable to 
have been applied when there was but one Sunday mail, or Sun- 
day stage, or Sunday boat, or railroad car. Though the man 
who should now pursue the course described, as one which would 
have been effectual then, may be called a fanatic, or a madman ; 
still he must go forward in it. Strange, forbidding, mipleasant, 
and dangerous as it may be, he must go on, for all is at stake. 
This may as well be done, and we fall in the combat, in the line 



368 THE SABBATH. 

of duty, as good soldiers, as not to be done, and we fall as cow- 
ards, neglecting our duty. Yea, better. And it is possible, if 
Christians now do their duty, all may not be martyrs, but some 
live to see the cause triumph. But nothing appears clearer to 
our mind than that, if Sabbath profanation do not soon cease, a 
useful ministry will, at no distant period, be driven from their 
pulpits, as a useless appendage. Fall they must if this sin he not 
soon arrested. What good soldier would prefer falling away 
from his post, to falling in the front of the battle, with his whole 
armor on ? 

But there is no need of a minister's falling if he do his duty. 
When De Witt Clinton was Governor of the state of New York, 
on some important occasion, he was traveling on the canal from 
Buffalo to Utica, where he and his retinue had engaged to spend 
the Sabbath. Circumstances rendered it impossible for them to 
reach the latter place until about noon on the Sunday. In the 
afternoon they went to the Rev. S. C. Aikin's church. His sub- 
ject had been previously chosen and prepared, but not with any 
knowledge of these circumstances. When Mr. Aikin saw the 
Governor and his suite, it occurred to him that part of his ser- 
mon was very severe on the Sabbath-breaker, and he doubted 
what the effect would be on those distinguished gentlemen who 
had just been guilty of violating the Sabbath. However, he re- 
solved on going forward in the coxirse he had marked out — doing 
his duty, regardless of consequences. He did so. The next day 
one of his hearers, a distinguished citizen, began to apologize to 
the Governor for the apparent impropriety of Mr. Aikin's dis- 
course. The Governor interrupted him, and said " It was per- 
fectly appropriate, and nothing but the truth ; we did Avrong, 
and I was very unwilling to travel on that day — he did just 
right." Here see what a faithful and fearless minister of the 
gospel can do; or rather, see what the sword of the Spirit, un- 
sheathed, can do. Let the same be done before all our rulers, 
statesmen, jurists, and business men, and there will be no diffi- 
culty in stopping the present system of Sabbath-breaking. 

The truth of God is mighty. In that and that alone, we have 
hope. It is the only weapon to be used in this warfare. 
Worldly policy has no artillery for the struggle which will not 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 369 

prove powerless if used ever so skillfully — which will not result 
in defeat and shame. Any compromise with the enemy will 
but make our overthrow more certain and dreadful. 

Ministers of the Gospel must take this stand, and the church 
must sustain them, stand by them, and help them forward. 
Every minister must take this stand ; whether he be in a col- 
lege, or an agent of some benevolent society, an editor, or a 
pastor ; every one of them must now come forward to the work 
with his whole soul and strength^ or the cause can never be 
gained. 

Be it known unto those who help this cause, that they help 
all other good objects. But let this fail, and all their skill, vigi- 
lance, and zeal, cannot save a single wreck of the other good 
objects. Let this fall, and they must fall as a matter of course. 
It need not be longer said, " We must labor for other causes, 
and that will help keep this from sinking ; for be assured, there 
is already a leak in the ship which will require every hand at 
the pump, the oakum and the chisel, or she will go down in 
spite of her strength, beauty, and utility ; and we shall all be 
buried in one common grave. The ship is fast being filled — she 
is sinkings and will you not come to her rescue ? 

While ministers are describing this evil, showing its enormity 
and its consequences, remonstrances from every lover of the Sab- 
bath in this nation should be going to Congress against the law 
compelling and encouraging labor in the Postoffice department 
on that day. These remonstrances should be long and loud. 
They must be made, until they are heard and the grievance re- 
moved. The Sabbath never can he observed as it should be, 
while that law is in force. So long as this nation holds out a 
premium for desecrating this day, men will be found to do it. 

Christians must also remonstrate against the practice of mak- 
ing our public thoroughfares — canals, railroads, and national 
roads, money making establishments on Sunday ; taking of the 
people's money to pay lock and gate tenders, toll-gatherers, 
&;c., and suffering money earned on that day to be put into the 
public treasury. Now, we, the people, are paying out money for 
labor on Sunday, and making money on that day by means of our 
public property. While we suffer this process to be going on 



370 THE SABBATH. 

without remonstrating against it, we shall be considered as ac- 
quiescing in it, if not as being pleased with it. Those who 
order this labor to be done are our servants, and they are sup- 
posed to represent our wishes. If they do represent our wishes , 
then we are equally guilty with them ; if they do not represent 
them, we ought to say so. 

Where there is a regular system of Sabbath profanation going 
on, there other vices cluster, and grow and thrive. It is said, 
that in the 1800 boats on the Erie Canal in 1834, there were 
a thousand ^prostitutes. This state of things is not peculiar to 
that channel of waters. These individuals, with their 50,000 
associates of both sexes, flock into the country and villages, dur- 
ing the cold season, and draw from the paths of virtue and 
peace, in our respectable families, each one his half dozen, and 
then they in their turn seduce others, and a mighty host are 
soon on their way to infamy, want, and perdition. These are 
some of the fruits which we are reaping for our neglect of the 
welfare of those who are not allowed a Sabbath on which to go 
and hear of the way which leads to life, and of the consequences 
of not walking in it. We have only to hold our peace a little 
longer, and from this source alone will flow a tide of moral pol- 
lution and death, as long as our canals, and as broad as the land, 
which nothing short of Omnipotent energy, miraculously inter- 
posed, can turn back. 

While churches, or individual professors, profane the Sabbath, 
they cannot grow in grace, and their example, so far as known, 
does more to prejudice an ungodly world against the Christian 
religion, and destroy the influence of the Sabbath, than all that 
infidels or atheists ever did or can do. For it never was expect- 
ed that they would wish to preserve that day, but it is expected 
that Christians will. 

All history shows us how other nations, which have dared to 
pollute the Sabbath, as we are doing, have been swept as with 
the besom of destruction, except when prevented by timely re- 
pentance and return to duty. Hence it appears, that God cannot 
carry on his plan of converting the world, without the influence 
of his day. 

As then we would emancipate the world from sin ; as we value 



REVIEW OF REPORT. 37i 

the present and future well-being of our race ; the upbuilding of 
the Redeemer's kingdom, and the glory of God ; let us come 
forth boldly, in the strength of the Lord, and call upon every 
man who now profanes the Sabbath, as he dreads the retribu- 
tions of the final judgment, and the pains of the damned, to 
cease from his wickedness and lay hold on eternal life. 

From henceforth let this be tDur motto : — Business men ought 
to do all their work in six days^ and rest on the Sahbath, as the 
Lord hath commanded. Though the evil has been accumulating, 
until it is mountain high, yet as great evils have been attacked 
and conquered, this must also be, or the millenium can never 
bless our world. The man who at this crisis is not ready, to 
wear this motto, in large capitals^ upon his forehead, is not fit to 
stand in the front ranks, and lead on to battle, in the warfare 
against this " giant foe." No, he is not worthy a place in 
Gideon's army, but had better retreat now^ that it may be 
known who are, and who are not on the Lord's side. 

Will any man doubt that it is the duty of every minister, 
often to warn his hearers against profaning the Lord's day ? — to 
tell them plainly, solemnly, and afiectionately, that traveling on 
business or for pleasure on that day is desecrating it ; that to run 
boats, stages, omnibuses, rail-cars, &c. &c., for the accommoda- 
tion of travelers, or parties of pleasure, or for the transportation 
of goods on that day, is sin ; that it is a great and national sin, 
to carry, open, and distribute the mail on Sunday, and, if con- 
tinued, will unavoidably prove our ruin; that it is a sin for 
merchants to do business in their counting rooms, for boatmen 
to lade and unlade, or run their boats, and sailors to lade or 
unlade their vessels, or go out of port on that day ? that custom- 
house officers, toll-gatherers, and postmasters, commit sin, by 
laboring on that day ? that it is sin to let carriages and horses, 
to help desecrate holy time ? and that it is the duty of minis- 
ters thus to particularize and bring the truth of God, with all 
the terrors of the divine law, and thunder it in the ear of every 
man who proves himself an enemy to his race, to this republic , 
to our religion, to his Creator, and to his own soul ? Make 
every man, woman, and child know, that such men, in the 
sight of God, are great sinners, and that their practices and their 



372 THE SABBATH. 

company even are dangerous ? Is it not time to call this thing 
by its right name, that all may know it ? Should ministers and 
churches neglect to tell our state and national legislatures their 
guilt in this matter, their responsibility and the results which 
must follow ? 

Every man should be made to feel that if he will continue to 
transgress in this thing, G-od will punish him, and he cannot 
escape it. " The wicked shall not go unpunished, for the mouth 
of the Lord hath spoken it." 

This evil is increasing in our land with almost the rapidity of 
the rays of the morning. Every additional canal and railway 
adds greatly to its strength. The immense crowds of foreign 
immigrants, the increase of Romanism, and commercial enter- 
prise, are but so many dead weights to sink this institution into 
oblivion. While ministers or private Christians, from fear or 
favor, or from any other cause, neglect to denounce this prac- 
tice, and plainly and faithfully to warn every Sabbath-breaker 
of his guilt and danger, they are contributing in no small degree 
to swell the tide which must soon, unless arrested, roll over this 
fair land, destroying every thing that is valuable, and leaving in 
its place all that can corrupt and make a people wretched. 

Would ministers do good to men, save the church from anni- 
hilation, obey their Master, and hold their places as teachers of 
the way of life, they must call the practice of labor or amuse- 
ment on Sunday, whether national or individual, sinful, and only 
sinful, which must speedily be abandoned. They must not be 
afraid to tell this nation of the enormity of her guilt, so long as 
she has a Sunday mail, or demands and encourages any secular 
business on the day of rest — that our State Legislatures greatly 
err while they allow labor to be done during that day on their 
public works ; and that Christians, so long as they do not re- 
monstrate against such practices, if they do not require them, 
will be considered as acquiescing in them at least. 

They should often tell their hearers that those who employ 
men to work on that day are not friends to the poor — they are 
not friends to human happiness — they are not friends to the re- 
ligion of the Bible — they are not friends to their country, and 
cannot he in the voay to heaven. 



MINISTERIAL EXCHANGES. 373 

If it should be necessary at any future time to say more on 
this point, the greater sin will lie at the door of the friends of 
the institution, for G-od will be more dishonored, and many more 
immortal beings will lie down in unavailing sorrow. 
Cleveland, July, 1835. 

MINISTERIAL EXCHANGES. 

We have just read the report of a committee to whom was re- 
ferred the subject of ministers riding on Sunday in making their 
exchanges. It was presented to the conference of Churches in 
Massachusetts. " After considerable discussion, in which both the 
clergy and laity expressed their views, the report was not ac- 
cepted, as many, particularly the laity, were not willing to give 
their sanction to it, without further examination." We presume 
that the more they examine it, the less willing they will be to 
adopt it For our part, we do not wish to study in the school 
where such ethics are taught ; and even were we to admit that 
the premises laid down are correct, we could not, by any process 
of right reasoning, come to their conclusions. " We revert again 
to the principle at first laid down, that riding to preach the gos- 
pel is either secular, and comes under the head of worldly busi- 
ness, or it is a religious service, appropriate to the Sabbath. We 
maintain that it is a religious service, and falls in perfectly with 
the design of the Sabbath." We have long supposed that sing- 
ing appropriate words in an appropriate piece of music, praying 
to almighty God, publishing the news of salvation, exhorting 
men to repent, and warning them to flee from the wrath to come, 
are " religious services," but we never heard before that riding 
was religious service. " What is it that justifies a person, ever, 
in riding on the Sabbath ? It is his having an object in view^ 
which is appropriate to the Sabbath. Riding to preach, then, is 
appropriate." For examples we are referred to a man living 
five or eight miles from Boston harbor. " There are hundreds 
of sailors standing about the wharves, with none to care for 
their souls." " The man gets up his horse, takes a bundle 
of tracts, and distributes them among the poor sailors. Very 
well, if he makes this his business, everij Sabbath. May God 
bless his labors, and incline thousands to go and do likewise* 
32 



374 THE SABBATH. 

So we say respecting men having a Sunday school, or religious 
meeting, among a destitute people — let them go, the more the 
better ; though the distance be six or eight miles, and they be lay- 
men, provided this is their uniform practice. We vi^ould say the 
same if they were ministers ; or respecting an itinerant preacher 
going from parish to parish ; or to a settled pastor, who after he 
has preached in his own congregation, or congregations, may 
ride four, six, or eight miles, on Sunday to preach to the desti- 
tute. This is all right. But the case of a minister riding /rom 
his parish^ his appointed place of worship, to exchange with a 
brother minister, is quite a different thing. In the cases first 
mentioned, each goes to his known, appointed, and usual field 
of labor ; if they are not their usual fields of labor, let them 
go to them before the Sabbath, or stay at home. But the 
minister who would exchange with a brother, should go hefore 
the Sabbath. If he does not, it is generally to save time, or it is 
more for his convenience to go Sunday morning. Worldly men 
can have no opportunity to know the object of these ministers. 
So many of them now travel on journeys, that it will not be 
known whether their object is to preach for a brother, or begin 
or end a long journey. Nor can there be any ci7xumstances, say 
the committee, such as disappointing a clergyman who expects 
his brother to fill his place, or disappointing a people, or ill 
health, and the like, which can make it lawful — it is not circum- 
stances, say they, but the object, which makes it lawful. 

According to this doctrine, it would be lawful for a minister 
to labor on his farm, or in his shop, six days in the week, or visit 
his parishioners, or read, six days in the week, and on Sunday 
study and write, as well as preach his sermons; for his object in 
writing or studying his sermon is, that he may have a sermon to 
preach. The work of studying or writing a sermon cannot be 
more sinful than riding to the place where he can preach. " If 
a man must do a thing on the Sabbath, he may go where he can 
do it," say the committee. If a man must preach on Sunday, 
he may study and write his sermon on that day ; though he 
might have done it before, as in the other case he might have 
gone to his brother's parish on Saturday! Or if the minister 
has been long absent on a journey, and gets to Albany on Satur- 



MINISTERIAL EXCHANGES. 375 

day, P. M., he may take the evening boat and go to New York, 
''''for it ivill not luearyhim to ride in the Z'o«!^,"and arrive in time, 
Sabbath morning; for his ohject is to preach to his people, who 
may be destitute ; and the ohject justifies the act ! Or he may 
live in Hudson. He is coming down the Mohawk, and arrives 
at Albany Sunday morning, takes the morning boat with oth- 
er travelers, no one knowing his object^ and comes to Hudson, 
for his ohject is to preach. Oh ! away with such a doctrine ! 
Should it prevail, our ministers and private Christians would al- 
ways find an object, which would answer as Avell as the Com- 
mittee's ohject ; and no one would stop when within twenty or 
thirty miles of home; unless he had a different conscience from 
that of the committee. 

But let us look a little more to the ohject. Suppose this ques- 
tion to be put to our minister, viz : " For what are you going 
to Newark ?" " To preach for brother E." Very well ; every 
body believes him — his ohject is to preach. But, why are you 
going on Sunday ? What answer must he give now to be be- 
lieved ? The committee have prevented him from pleading as 
an excuse, some unavoidable " circumstances," which prevented 
him from going on Saturday; but he must give the same an- 
swer he did before : " My object is to preach." Why, what 
should we think of the man ? Should he tell us, it was because 
he could do more good by going on that day, we shall readily 
see, in order that our minister can do more good on Sunday, the 
ferry-boats, and steamboats, and stages, and rail-cars, must be 
kept running on that day ; and the livery stables must be kept 
open, the porters stand ready to wait on him, &c. ; while he, 
by his example, encourages the " multitude to do evil !" If the 
good laymen, likewise, first alluded to, cannot go to their usual 
places of labor on Sunday, without going in Sabbath-breaking es- 
tablishments, or to the livery stable, let them stay at home. For 
we say that all such establishments ought to rest on that day. 

" Riding to preach is lawful, on the same principle that riding 
to hear the gospel preached is lawful." Very true, in cases 
which we have mentioned as lawful, and when the man settled 
over a parish, lives one, two, or more miles from his place of 
worship. He may then ride as far as his parishioners do, and 



376 THE SABBATH. 

it would be lawful ; but tbis has nothing to do with the ques- 
tion. Here is our minister's known field of labor, in one, two, 
or three places. It is right for him to go to these places on 
Sunday, all will say. But he wants to exchange with brother 
A. Why does he want to exchange ? " For convenience sake, 
because circumstances render it necessary, or desirable, or be- 
cause we think most good can be effected by it." 

Well, there can be no objections to making the exchange. 
Now, when shall it be done ? Why, if he go on Sunday, he is 

seen off from his ground. " Where is Parson S going ?" 

" On a journey, or visiting, for aught I know." As he passes by 
a stranger, the man says to himself, " There is a respectable 
looking gentleman traveling, I need no longer hold down my 
head for shame; for no doubt traveling on Sunday is fashionable 
here." But if he go on this day, he need not tell a man his 
" object" is to do more good, for no one would believe him — nor 
that his " object" is to preach, for all will say, " Why then not 
go on Saturday ? Why not do all your work on week days, as 
you tell us to do ours, that we may not have it to do on Sunday ? 
Surely traveling to your brother's parish is not your business, 
any more than it is ours." They might plead the same excuse, 
" Our object ;" — ^but such logic will not do. 

It is thought that we have before us conclusive evidence that 
the moral sense of some ministers as well as the laity, has be- 
come so obtuse in relation to the sanctity of the Sabbath, that 
we have a far greater work to do in the Church than out of it. 

" If our practice be really calculated to blind men, and thus 
to lead them into error and sin, we ought to give it up, even 
though it be lawful." We are glad to find this language in the 
report, and presume if the committee cannot be convinced that 
their practice is unlawful^ they at least cannot fail to see, by a 
little observation, that it is inexpedient^ in the present state of 
the Church and the world. For surely the real friends of the 
Sabbath are so few, that it is important that they should be 
agreed, and " avoid even the appearance of evil." 

New- York, October, 1835. 



WHO SABBATH-BREAKERS ARE. 377 



WHO ARE SABBATH-BREAKERS i 



An imperfect list of those who, with hut few exceptions, ha- 
bitually profane the Sabbath. 

Postmasters, their assistants and clerks. 

Mail-carriers, penny-posts, news-carriers. 

Stage proprietors, stage runners, drivers and agents. 

Canal and steamboat men and women, agents and riders. 

Watermen of almost every class. 

Rail-carmen, and boys, and runners. 

Manufacturers, retailers, and drinkers of alcohol. 

Innkeepers, with all their household and domestics. 

Livery-men and coachmen, with all they employ, and all who 
patronize them on that day. 

Furnacemen, coalmen, brickmakers, and all in their employ- 
ment. 

Bakers, butchers, drovers, printers of daily and Sunday papers, 
porters, milkmen, washerwomen, barbers, boot-blacks, peddlers, 
gamblers, sportsmen, ferrymen. 

The countless number of travelers ; whether by land, or 
water. 

Forwarding merchants, their clerks, agents, and laborers. 

Custom-house officers, and their assistants. 

Toll-gatherers upon canals, railways, bridges, and turnpikes. 

Lock-tenders, and the long dense crowd of lookers on. 

Merchants, generally when away from home, and frequently 
when at home. 

Swearers : men of pleasure, and of sensual indulgence. 

To these may be added many of our physicians, lawyers, ju- 
rists, legislators, Congressmen, and office-seekers ; and many in 
the arts, and the manufactures. 

Add to these the multititudes employed in mining, and smelt- 
ing, and m constructing railroads and canals; deepening and 
widening rivers; exploring new territories; fishing, hujiting, 
fur-trading, and the like. 

All those connected with brothels, in doors or out ; and the 
great mass of beings who seem to care little for God or for man. 
It is presumed, no one will doubt that all those who habit- 
32'' 



378 THE SABBATH. 

ually neglect the worship of God in public, are enemies to the 
Sabbath. More than one third of the inhabitants of these Unit- 
ed States, perhaps one half^ may be ranked in this class. 

How is it with the other half? Part occasionally attend di- 
vine worship, and externally pay some respect to that holy day. 

^?||| But it will not be pretended that all of this class should be claim- 
ed as friends of that day. 

Another portion remains, though small in number, consisting 
of those who habitually pay more or less reverence to this sacred 
institution, and who are, many of them, bound by their own sol- 
emn covenant, to sustain the laws of God. Can all this class 
be numbered with the uniform and unquestionable friends of 
that institution ? Surely not. For, of the professors of the re- 
ligion which is adorned and sustained by the Sabbath among 
this class, we cannot speak as favorably as we would. The 
tone of moral feeling in relation to this day is, and has been, ex- 
ceedingly low. Many desecrate this day, and little think they 
are sinning against God. 

" Almost every box of freight, and article of merchandise that 

■^ fill the thousands of mercantile houses in different ports of our 
land, in the process of transportation, pass through Sabbath- 
breaking channels during the hours of that sacred day. With 
few exception's^ merchants ship their freight as if there were no 
Sabbath: passengers pursue their journeys as if there were no 
Sabbath : boatmen are employed, and horses are driven as if 
there were no Sabbath : and the arrangements of companies, and 
proprietors, and forwarders, are often entered into as if there were 
NO Sabbath. What can be done to stay this flood of deso- 
lation ?" 

New York, 1835. 



CHAPTER IX. 

ADDRESS TO CHRISTIANS, PATRIOTS, AND PHILAN- 
THROPISTS. 

CAUSE AND EFFECT. 

Nature's laws are sovereign, and, judging from the past, will 
remain so. Effect must and will follow cause, now and ever, as 
heretofore. A man cannot have health while he indulges in 
luxury and dissipation, any more than he can take fire into his 
bosom and not be burned. If he be idle and profligate, poverty 
and wretchedness will ensue; if industrious, honest, and frugal, 
abundance and peace will be his reward. As it is with indi- 
viduals, so it is with families, neighborhoods, and larger commu- 
nities. If right be pursued, all will be well — if wrong, it will be 
ill with them. 

But should it be asked, which is the best, and the safest cri- 
terion, by which wrong actions are to be tried, we answer, the 
Bible — moralists, patriots, and philanthropists, say the Bible — 
and infidels, deists, and atheists admit, almost universally, that 
there is no better or safer guide to right actions, and a happy 
and prosperous life. They have never, themselves being judges, 
produced a better. It might likewise be argued, and conclu- 
sively proved from the history of past generations, that the 
code of morals, laid down in that Book, is the only one that can 
lead to happiness in this life. Were it fully conformed to, there 
would be heaven below — hence some of the reasons why all 
men should obey it. 

In that code is contained the law of the Sabbath. One- 
seventh of our time is required for rest and religious purposes. 



380 THE SABBATH. 

As the laws of the natural or Physical world are inflexible, so 
are those of the moral world. 

You cannot long have Sunday mails and civil and religious 
liberty. 

You cannot run boats ; and stages, and cars, and onmibuses, 
on Sunday, and have a virtuous and moral community. 

You cannot have a wise and efficient administration, and a 
happy people, no matter how good your Constitution is, and at 
the same time. Sabbath-breaking rulers. 

You cannot have even an intelligent^ industrious, and happy 
nation, and a national sanction to break any one of the mjunc- 
tions of this code ; especially, that most important and indispen- 
sable one, the fourth. 

You cannot have the Christian religion, nor civil liberty^ and 
seven days in a week for labor and amusement. 

You cannot have the religious and benevolent objects of the 
day in a flourishing state, with this S3^atem of Sabbath desecra- 
tion. These things cannot long exist together. If you would 
retain the religion of the Bible, Sabbath-breaking must cease ; 
for no religion ever has been, or can be propagated and sustain- 
ed, without its festivals, its seasons for devotion. These truths 
necessarily follow, if the positions first laid down be correct. 
For effect must and will follow cause. If the Sabbath be pro- 
faned, people will not long assemble to hear religious and moral 
instruction; and then they necessarily become ignorant and 
vicious. So, the result in this country must soon be no Sabbath, 
in its legitimate hold on the public conscience, and no Christian 
religion, or no secular labor on that day. Both cannot long go 
together. We are rapidly approaching the crisis. Which will 
we have ? Choose quickly, that you may have your choice — de- 
lay, and you may be compelled to take that which will destroy us. 

SABBATH-BREAKING MAKES INFIDELS. 

This nation is rapidly becoming infidel, and why ? Not be- 
cause infidelity makes Sabbath-breakers; for men must first cast 
away all reverence for that day, before they can disbelieve the 
Bible, ridicule its truths, and contemn its Author. All those who 
habitually trample on this institution must, from self-respect, or 



ADDRESS TO ITS FRIENDS. 381 

love of consistency, profess to disbelieve the claims of those pre- 
cepts which condemn them. Having therefore learned, by 
national sanction, and individual and State examples, to dese- 
crate God's holy day, they fly to infidelity, in self-justification, 
waxing worse and worse, and contaminating every thing that 
comes within their reach. 

Should it be asked, who are becoming infidels ? The answer 
is ready — stagemen, boatmen, carmen, postmasters, and their 
clerks, custom-house officers, toll-gatherers, forwarding mer- 
chants, innkeepers, their families and domestics, porters, barbers, 
milkmen, and others, who by any means, or in any way, ha- 
bitually violate this day. They, to appear consistent, must say 
there is no law by which they are required to suspend their labor 
one-seventh part of the time. 

We know a person, the son of a pious man, who moved from 
New England, some twenty years ago, into the valley of the 
Mississippi. He was then a nominal believer in the Christian 
religion. He opened a public house, was appointed postmaster, 
and, like other men in such circumstances, began to do business 
on Sunday. The result has been, not only infidelity in the 
father, but in six or eight sons. Not long since, on that day, we 
were pained to see that all of them, together with a large num- 
ber of neighbors and stage-drivers, could laugh, talk, and drink, 
on the day of rest, sport with the Christian religion, ridicule the 
story of the cross, and blaspheme God, regardless of their own, 
and the future well-being of others. They had, as the most 
valued part of their library, " Paine's Age of Reason ;" and 
they believed every word its author had written, notwithstand- 
ing the reasonings and statements in " Watson's Apology for 
the Bible," which had a place on the same shelf 

Sabbath-breaking has made every one of these men open 
contemners of God's law. This is not a peculiar case ; many 
such families, and whole neighborhoods, can be found in that 
great valley ; and let the practice continue a few years, at most, 
and in every neighborhood may be found such men, in abun- 
dance. Oh, how this system multiplies infidels. It does it by 
hundreds and thousands every year. Infidels, so long as this 
practice shall contirme, need do nothing more than keep the 



382 THE SABBATH. 

Christian public ignorant of what is doing, thereby to destroy 
Christianity. There is no necessity for their reprinting infidel 
subtlety, infidel slang, infidel slander and blasphemy, so long as 
labor and amusement are continued on Sunday ; for this is doing 
their work of death more effectually than anything else could 
do it. Oh, that Christians but realized this, as they very soon 
will, though it may be too late to remedy the evil. 

What, let us ask, must be the influence of this unholy prac- 
tice, but the entire destruction of our privileges, civil, domestic, 
and religious ? Wherever the Sabbath is profaned, infidelity 
comes in like a flood; and ignorance, crime, anarchy, and deso- 
lation follow in its train, as natural and unavoidable conse- 
quences. For the Sabbath and infidelity cannot long exist to- 
gether. Where there is no Sabbath, there can be no sound 
morality — no true patriotism and philanthropy — but little hu- 
manity or general intelligence — little national prosperity, and no 
cheering hope of a blessed immortality. The Sabbath gone, 
and all that is valuable, here or hereafter, is gone ; for, in the 
present economy, God cannot convert the world without the 
influence of that day. 

The Sabbath has already lost much of its hold on the busi- 
ness men of this nation. The public conscience, on this subject, 
is fast dying away ; and, continuing to do as we have done, its 
voice will soon cease to be heard. The din of worldly business 
has all but deafened the men of this world, and the love of gain 
filled the heart of the church, so that they seem to think of 
nothing but money, self-aggrandizement, and self -applause. It 
often appears absolutely impossible to break the charm. Judg- 
ments, often repeated and most severe, may do it, but it is to be 
feared nothing else can ; for God has long been trying mercies, 
and we have waxed worse and worse. Must it be, that the 
moral and physical benefits of this blessed season are soon to be 
lost to the church, and to a guilty, dying world ? 

This seems, on looking over the whole field, and watching the 
progress which this evil has made, during the last eight or ten 
years, almost unavoidable. To human appearance it is quite 
so. But " with God all things," consistent with his plan of 
government and his holiness, " are possible." 



I 



ADDRESS TO ITS FKIENDS. 383 

Will not the ministry suffer with the people ? Are they not, 
in a measure, responsible for the losses, the pains, and the 
miseries which are felt, in consequence of this national breach 
of the divine law ? Had they lifted up their voices against 
such an intrusion, the evil might have been stayed, and this 
nation spared many a pang ; many souls might have been saved 
from perdition, and G-od's name and authority preserved from 
dishonor. 

Private Christians have neglected, and continue to neglect, 
their duty, notwithstanding all that has been said to the con- 
trary. They act as though they believed it was the work of 
ministers only to reprove this sin, and that they have nothing 
to do in the matter. They have either been afraid to speak, or 
too worldly, covetous, selfish, and indifferent, to spend a thought 
for this object, though upon its success depend the best interests 
of a dying world. One has turned to his farm, and another to 
his merchandise, apparently listless, unaffected, undisturbed. 

This nation, for a number of years, has been rolling in wealth 
and pleasure. Prosperity has smiled on us, and, in our own 
estimation at least, we have become rich and important. Many 
of our young men are proud, impious, and ready to say, " Who 
is the Lord, that we should serve him ?" The Sabbath is our 
own, and we will enjoy it. The truth of G-od exerts no influ- 
ence on their minds, to convince them that they are sinners, 
poor, ignorant, dependent — hastening to the judgment of the 
great day. They laugh and scoff at serious things, and even 
defy the Almighty. Old men too are forgetting the good in- 
structions of their fathers. 

The efforts of some professors of religion to divide our ranks, 
and their frequently going over to the enemy, are very discour- 
aging. When one stands in the field, at his post, and is at- 
tacked by the enemy, instead of coming up to his help in the 
mighty struggle, they leave him to conquer alone, if he can, or 
they even join with the enemy, though, it is admitted, in most 
cases indirectly. Thereby they procure, if not his immediate, 
his ultimate overthrow ; when, worn out, grieved, and discour- 
aged, he dies a martyr to the cause. 

This is cruel — traitorous ; but it has been acted over and over, 



384 THE SABBATH. 

and will prove a curse not only to those who are guilty of such 
conduct, but to the nation, while it is a foul blot on human 
nature. Let this course be continued, and it will prove the de- 
struction of our brightest hopes, here and hereafter. Is there 
here no good reason for apprehending, that the benefits of the 
Sabbath will soon be lost to this nation ? Other reasons, nume- 
rous and weighty, might be given, were it necessary. 

THE ONLY REMEDY. 

Every ecclesiastical body, must immediately raise its voice, 
long and loud, against this sin, in all its various forms. They 
must particularize, and repeat their remonstrances, as often as 
they shall meet, giving " line upon line, and precept upon pre- 
cept," until the evil shall be done away. They must watch over 
and call to account all their delinquent members. 

Churches must discipline all their members, who are or shall 
be guilty of this sin, and not suffer an individual to remain 
among them who will hold stock in Sabbath-breaking estab- 
lishments ; run boats, stages, rail-cars ; open or carry the mail, 
travel, or do any other secular work on the day of rest. Such 
men prove themselves unworthy of a place in the church ; and 
while there, do more hurt than if they were infidels out of it. 
The church must, forthwith, wash her hands of this sin, or no- 
thing effectual can be done. Why should she keep an indi- 
vidual in her bosom who breaks the fourth, any more than she 
would one who breaks the second, sixth, seventh, or eighth 
command ? Such stumbling-blocks must be put away, or sin- 
ners will continue to fall over them into perdition. Who, if not 
the minister, shall do this ? 

Every Minister, as he values the approbation of his final 
Judge, would have skirts free from the blood of souls, and de- 
sires the good of a dying world, must^ yes, must awake from his 
criminal stupor on this subject. He must awake now — every 
one of each and every Christian denomination ; for all need the 
day ; and in this, can all Christians work together. Some dif- 
ferences of opinion, with regard to securing its better observance 
may exist ; but these should not divide the ranks, nor alienate 
the feelings. It is a work, the magnitude of which calls for all 



ADDRESS TO ITS FRIENDS. 385 

the power of all the churches, and that unitedly ; and this we 
must have, and we must have it soon, or Zion will weep in so- 
litude, that her beauty and glory are departed. 

This work must be done to-day. It will be hazarding too 
much, to defer it until to-morrow. Brethren, will you do it ? 
Oh, we entreat you, as if for the last time, and as one standing 
upon the grave — as one who has not felt and done half as much 
as the exigencies of the case demand, and who now feels it, and 
mourns over his neglect of duty in this thing ; as one who dreads 
to think of the future, lest it should be found that we have 
slumbered on, and with the multitude, sinned against God, and 
lost our Sabbaths. Again we entreat you, awake. Destruc- 
tion is near, it is even at our door. No longer be deceived, and 
no longer deceive others. 

Editors of religious periodicals must do their duty. Hitherto 
they have done littJe for this cause. They must give up their 
jarrings and contentions about trifles, and with pure hands, and 
warm hearts, take hold of this cause. They must put forth 
their best, their mightiest eflbrt. If any one of them longer ne- 
glects this duty, he is unfit to stand in so responsible a place ; 
he is unworthy the confidence of the community as a spiritual 
guide, and can do more hurt than a silent, slumbering preacher 
of the gospel. Each of them should have a Sabbath depart- 
ment, in which something should be said in favor of this institu- 
tion, and against its violation, as often as he sends abroad his 
paper. 

Before this work can be accomplished, so much, at least, it 
will be indispensable to do. It may be necessary, before all this 
can be done, to establish, for the purpose, a National Paper, at 
New York, Philadelphia, or elsewhere, and appoint agents to go 
from town to town, and from city to city, to instruct, arouse, and 
alarm the public, that they may see their condition, and make 
their escape from the impending storm by timely repentance* 
But if every minister and editor would now come forward, and 
faithfully do his duty in this work, such a paper and such agents 
would not be necessary. Ministers and editors, will you do this 
work, and save the expense and trouble of these extra efforts ? 

All Christians, Patriots, and Philanthropists should arise 
33 



386 THE SABBATH. 

and put forth their best efforts to stop this torrent of iniquity. 
If they will not, they do not deserve the names they have taken 
upon them. Let them neglect to do this, and their other efforts 
of benevolence and humanity to bless the world may prove abor- 
tive. They cannot long continue, however much is done to 
sustain them, after the Sabbath has lost its hold on the public 
conscience. 

Let there be no disunion. Infidelity and all the powers of 
darkness are arrayed, somewhat secretly, against this institu- 
tion ; for they well know, that if this can be destroyed, the Chris- 
tian religion is powerless. All our efforts, then, are needed. 
The truth of God, poured upon the conscience of the offender, 
is the only thing that can make any good and lasting impression 
upon his mind, and effect the needed reformation. It cannot be 
done by opposing SdJobdiih-breaking boats, and stages, and cars, 
by SsihhdiXli'Jceeping boats, and stages, and cars ; for the devil, 
having already the field, well manned, and abundance of mate- 
rials for manning a thousand more, cannot be defeated in this 
way. Nothing but the truth of Almighty God, accompanied by 
the fervent prayers, and consistent lives of Christians, can drive 
him and them from their strong holds, which they have occu- 
pied and been fortifying, through the criminal cowardice and 
neglect of Christians, these many years. Hence the indispen- 
sable necessity for the efforts of ministers ; for who can wield 
needful truth like them? Hence also the necessity for the 
united, immediate, persevering, and undaunted efforts of all 
Christians, patriots, and philanthropists. 

Human Laws against this sin are important, and should be 
made and executed. But of what avail are all human laws on 
this subject, now that the practice has continued so long that 
the divine law is not believed to be binding ? Were we an ig- 
norant people, and governed by a despot, human laws might 
avail. But no intelligent people can be governed by physical 
force alone. Moral as well as physical power must be applied. 

After all, an intelligent, a republican people, must be govern- 
ed, if governed at all, mainly by the force of moral truth — the 
laws of God— the love of God, or the fear of his eternal displea- 
sure. If the Sabbath-breaker, if worldly, covetous, selfish men, 



ADDRESS TO ITS FRIENDS. 387 

SO long habituated to desecrate God's holy day, and claim it a^ 
their own, are ever to be reformed, they must be made to feel 
and believe the truth, that G-od has a claim upon them, that the 
Sabbath is his day ; and if they continue to do their own plea- 
sure in it, he will curse them for it in this life, it may be, and 
certainly in that which is to come. In order to this, we must 
have the ministry — the living preacher ; and he must warn the 
transgressor, plainly, affectionately, constantly, or be charged 
with the loss of his soul. 

Every man should read how Nehemiah set about a similar re- 
formation, and follow his example. Nor call him ultra ^ until 
he exceeds the efforts made by that holy and patriotic man. 
The evil is immense. The half of it has not yet been told. It 
is a wonder that all men do not, with loud and lasting wail, cry 
out for help against this giant foe. Surely help, much help, is 
needed, and must come quickly, or it may come too late. 

Let Christians preach, write, talk, act, and do their duty unit- 
edly and without delay, and all will be well. 

Men of the East, awake ! Awake to the rescue of this day. 
The tide of Sabbath-breaking is rising higher and higher in the 
far West, and sweeping away every vestige of the Sabbath's in- 
fluences. Already it has broken its way, in narrow channels, 
over the mighty barrier which Nature seemed to place between 
these two worlds. Like so many arteries in the human system, 
it is conveying its corrupting influence to the seat of life ; and, 
unless we soon have your help, it will rise to the loftiest summits 
of intervening mountains, and break forth upon you in such tor- 
rents that nothing can resist it, and you and yours will be whelm- 
ed in the general ruin. Awake, then — why slumber any longer, 
as it were, on a sleeping volcano ? Is there nothing at stake ? 
Nothing ! Every thing good and valuable is at stake — why then 
not hear the warning voice ere it be too late ? Why not come 
and help redeem the Sabbath ? 

The religion of the cross demands it, — the continued exist- 
ence of Christianity demands it ; humanity demands it. How 
many poor laborers are now suffering, because the benefits which 
this institution was designed to give, are withheld from them ? 
Do they not need our sympathy and our efforts ? Shall that re- 



38S THE SABBATH. 

ligion which brings life and immortality to light, and makes 
men happy here and hereafter, exert none of its transforming 
and sanctifying power upon them, because, to them the Sabbath 
is converted into a day of toil ? Shall that religion be annihi- 
lated, or exchanged for the religion of pagans, because Chris- 
tians will not stand by and sustain its main pillars, now ready to 
fall ; and when the enemy are laboring to overthrow it ? God 
forbid, that they should act so treacherously, so wickedly, so 
sluggishly, and neglect to act their part. 

Do not be afraid to come forward. God will aid all who will 
do their duty in this emergency. He never honors, or crowns 
with victory, the timid, the slothful, or the unfaithful. What 
though the enemy attack you ? Go forward in the armor of 
righteousness and truths and success is certain. 

This work must not be put off upon weak hands, nor delayed. 
This has been tried too long already. The best efforts and the 
earliest time, must be improved, if we would secure the object. 
No man can delay, or be indifferent, and remain innocent. Oh ! 
what apathy ! When will this sleep of death be broken ? 

Awake, then, all ye that love God or your fellow men, and 
preach, and talk, and pray for this reform, every day of your 
lives. Let not any minister neglect distinctly to bring this 
subject before the mind of every audience he may be allowed to 
address. 

What ! Shall ministers of the Gospel see one of the most 
important commands of the decalogue so alarmingly and con- 
stantly violated, and not warn their hearers against committing 
so heinous a sin ! — See them sporting with Omnipotence, and 
not warn them to beware ! Surely, such men, are not worthy 
to be placed as watchmen on the walls of Zion. They mast be 
hirelings in sheep's clothing. What if there be Sabbath-breakers 
in their church and congregation, who would be angry if their min- 
ister should do his duty, and tell them the truth ? What though 
such men are rich and honorable, and great, and the main sup- 
porters of the minister ? So much the more, then, be faithful to 
them that their souls perish not, and that their influence may be 
brought over to the right side. But, should neither of these ends 
be obtained, and should the minister in consequence of his faith- 



ADDRESS TO ITS FRIENDS. 



389 



fulness be deprived of his living ; better, far better will it be to 
endure all this, than to be cheated out of heaven, and thrust 
down to hell. 

May God in mercy forgive the man who has been, or still is, 
afraid to speak against this sin ; and fill his soul with the moral 
courage requisite to qualify him for usefulness at the present day. 
Ministers must be humble, self-denying, prayerful. Then shall 
they have strength to meet and conquer the enemy. 

Beware of the man who opposes this reform ; or is finding 
fault with measures adopted,— or complains that too much is re- 
quired, or that its friends are too strict. Though their preten- 
sions of friendship for the object are ever so strong, beware of 
them. They are generally delinquents themselves, and the ene- 
mies of all proper effort. It has been said, we must be united. 
So we should be, — all the friends of the institution should be; 
but such men are the enemies of that day. If they will not go 
with you, go without them. G-o, and go quickly. " Make haste 
slowly,^^ has been the motto, and when rightly understood, it is 
a good one. But when it is made to mean, go no faster than will 
please all men, especially all professors, it is the motto of Satan, 
and would teach men to do nothing in this cause. There are 
many to be reproved in the church as well as out of it, and you 
cannot please all if you touch the subject. 

PUBLIC CALAMITIES. 

Why is this land bleeding and agonizing under the judgments 
of heaven ? Why was the cholera sent ? Why so many large 
fires ? — So many losses at sea ? — So many failures among our 
business men ? Why such great changes, such distrust, and 
such a pressure in the money market, as though the whole na- 
tion would soon be bankrupt ? Why are our cities filled with 
fear, distress, and alarm ; and so many thrown from the heights 
of affluence to the depths of poverty ? Why those great chang- 
es in our civil and political prospects, approaching almost to an- 
archy, and universal lawlessness? Why this unconquerable 
aversion to good order, and wholesome restraint ? Why this 
sudden effervescence in society, as though every man would 
soon be against his neighbor ? 



390 THE SABBATH. 

These things are not without meaning. God has said, the 
curse causeless shall not come. We, as a nation, have sinned, 
and it seems that God is about to give us up to self-destruction. 
Here is the secret. This nation has long been a Sabbath-break- 
ing and an oppressing nation. These are national sins ; and 
since they have not been repented of, they must be followed 
by national judgments. 

Hitherto we have called ourselves that happy people whose 
God is the Lord ; but now God is " cursing us with a curse." 
We feel the present pain, and dread the future. Well may we, 
for the storm has but just begun to fall, if we continue to dese- 
crate God's holy day. It has long been gathering blackness, and 
wo be unto us if we continue this high-handed wickedness. 
Timely and hearty repentance only can avert the doom. 

Sunday mails, and boats, and stages, and railcars, must all 
stop, or this nation will be dashed in pieces. Who by his si- 
lence would have all the miseries which are coming upon us, 
charged to his account ? 

Oh, that the hand of God might be seen, by the people, in 
these judgments — that every minister might proclaim the truth, 
that God has a controversy with this nation, in consequence of 
this sin ; and that, unless they soon repent, and do works meet 
for repentance, he will chastise until we acknowlege his right to 
reign over us. 

We charge, then, every man who loves the Sabbath, to warn 
the Sabbath-breaker of his unparalleled guilt, and the awful 
doom to which he is hastening. Tell him also, what judgments 
he is bringing upon this nation, and how the innocent will suffer 
with the guilty. Tell him that his Sabbath-day earnings will 
prove a curse to him instead of a blessing ; that our Sunday 
mails will lead us into inextricable difficulty, and be worse than 
none, for God has forbidden them ; and without his blessing on 
our undertakings, all our efforts will be useless. 

Those who have clamorously demanded Sunday mails, cannot 
be said to be any the better for them. They will prove a source 
of immense injury to the friends of the system. 

But it may be said, those who keep the Sabbath as well as 
Sabbath-breakers, have gone down in the almost universal 



ADDRESS TO ITS FRIENDS. 391 

crash. So they have ; for their sin in this thing derives its ag- 
gravation, from the fact that they have not, at all times and eve- 
rywhere, cried aloud and spared not. For this, God will punish 
the church and the ministry, with the contemner of his law. Oh ! 
what will be the terrors of that day ! Who can endure them ? 
And who will then stand acquitted at the bar of his conscience — 
at the coming judgment ? 
New York, July, 1837. 



3l|77-9 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: August 2005 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 625 202 3 



